The Sacramento Kings delivered a strong fourth-quarter performance to come away with a 114-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center. After falling into a significant hole in the second quarter, Sacramento outscored Indiana 42-27 in the final period to secure the win in front of 14,618 fans. Devin Carter paced the Kings with 24 points, while Aaron Nesmith led all scorers on the night with 29 for the Pacers in a losing effort.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Indiana Takes an Early Edge
The opening quarter was tightly contested, with the Pacers taking a narrow 25-24 lead heading into the first break. Both teams traded baskets throughout the period, with neither side able to pull away. Sacramento stayed competitive but couldn’t quite match Indiana’s offensive rhythm through the first 12 minutes.
Second Quarter: Indiana Takes Control
The second quarter belonged to the Pacers. Indiana put together a 34-18 run over the period, extending their halftime advantage to 59-42. The Kings’ offense stalled considerably, and Indiana’s ball movement and perimeter shooting created consistent openings. Sacramento went into the locker room with a 17-point deficit that would require a significant response after the break.
Third Quarter: Kings Begin Their Comeback
Sacramento came out of halftime with renewed energy, outscoring Indiana 30-23 in the third quarter. The Kings tightened the gap to 82-72 entering the final period. The defense picked up, and Sacramento’s guards began to find their footing offensively. The Pacers continued to compete, but the Kings’ momentum was clearly building.
Fourth Quarter: Sacramento Takes Over
The fourth quarter told the full story of this game. The Kings put together a 42-27 quarter — one of their strongest closing periods of the season — to take the final margin, 114-109. Sacramento’s execution down the stretch was sharp, particularly at the free-throw line where they went 25-of-30 (83.3%) for the game. Indiana had no answer for the Kings’ late surge, as Sacramento outpaced the Pacers by 15 points in the closing frame.
Key Performers
Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings – 24 Points
Devin Carter was Sacramento’s standout performer, finishing with 24 points and earning the game’s top efficiency rating. The guard was particularly effective in the second half as the Kings mounted their comeback, helping shift the game’s momentum firmly in Sacramento’s favor.
Russell Westbrook, Sacramento Kings – 9 Assists
Russell Westbrook led the Kings in assists with 9, orchestrating Sacramento’s offense with the poise and playmaking that has defined his career. His ability to push pace and find teammates in transition was a key component of Sacramento’s fourth-quarter surge.
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings – 11 Rebounds
Center Maxime Raynaud provided Sacramento with a strong interior presence, pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds. Raynaud’s work on the boards contributed to the Kings’ 52-rebound total, which outpaced Indiana’s 48.
Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers – 29 Points
Aaron Nesmith delivered a standout individual performance for Indiana, leading all scorers on the night with 29 points. Nesmith was Indiana’s most consistent offensive contributor and kept the Pacers in the game throughout. Despite his efforts, Indiana couldn’t sustain the momentum from their big second quarter.
Kam Jones, Indiana Pacers – 9 Assists
Guard Kam Jones matched Westbrook’s assist total with 9 of his own, serving as Indiana’s primary playmaker and helping fuel the Pacers’ 29-assist team total. Indiana moved the ball well all night, but ultimately their 40.9% field goal shooting for the game left too many opportunities on the table.
Game Analysis
This game was defined by two contrasting halves. Indiana controlled the first half behind a productive second quarter that featured balanced scoring and efficient ball movement — the Pacers finished the game with 29 assists on 38 made field goals, a strong team efficiency indicator. But Sacramento proved far more effective at the free-throw line (25-of-30 compared to Indiana’s 20-of-22) and found a consistent interior advantage with 52 rebounds against Indiana’s 48.
The biggest factor was Sacramento’s fourth quarter. Scoring 42 points in a single period is a notable feat, and the Kings’ ability to ramp up their efficiency when it mattered most proved to be the difference. Indiana attempted a significant number of three-pointers — 43 in total — connecting on just 13 (30.2%). Sacramento was more selective from deep, taking only 20 attempts from three and hitting 7. The Kings’ more balanced approach, combined with their superior work at the line, gave them enough of a cushion to hold off the Pacers’ late push.
Standings and Series Context
With the win, the Sacramento Kings improve to 16-50 on the season, moving their home record to 11-22. The Indiana Pacers drop to 15-50 overall with the loss, sitting at 5-28 on the road. Both teams continue to navigate a challenging stretch of the 2025-26 season, and Tuesday’s result gives Sacramento a needed home victory as they close out the final weeks of the campaign. For the Pacers, the effort from Nesmith and Jones represents genuine positives, even as the team searches for more consistent results heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
