Pacers' Siakam Leads Charge, But Hornets Prevail at Home

Charlotte's balanced attack too much for shorthanded Indiana squad

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:54pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette representing the players, court, and ball.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Pacers and Hornets, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.Chicago Today

The Indiana Pacers, led by All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, put up a valiant effort against the playoff-bound Charlotte Hornets. However, Charlotte's deep roster and dominant rebounding proved too much, as the Hornets secured a double-digit victory at home.

Why it matters

This game had major playoff implications, as the Hornets look to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Pacers are playing for lottery positioning. The outcome could impact the postseason picture and the future draft order.

The details

Despite missing several key players due to injury, the Pacers kept the game close thanks to Siakam's scoring outburst. However, Charlotte's balanced attack, led by LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel, overwhelmed Indiana's defense. The Hornets also dominated the glass, grabbing 37.2% of available offensive rebounds and 73.3% of defensive rebounds.

  • The Pacers and Hornets faced off on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Charlotte has been on a tear since the start of 2026, going 30-14 over that span.

The players

Pascal Siakam

All-Star forward for the Indiana Pacers who led the team in scoring despite the loss.

LaMelo Ball

Standout point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging over 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game this season.

Kon Knueppel

Likely Rookie of the Year candidate for the Hornets, shooting over 43% from three-point range since the start of 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a team fighting for playoff positioning, but our guys stepped up and got the job done.”

— James Borrego, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

“I'm proud of the effort my team put forth, but we just couldn't overcome their size and depth. We'll keep fighting and look to build on this performance.”

— Rick Carlisle, Head Coach, Indiana Pacers

What’s next

The Hornets will look to continue their strong play and solidify their playoff positioning, while the Pacers will aim to play spoiler and improve their draft lottery odds in the final games of the season.

The takeaway

This game showcased the contrasting trajectories of the Hornets and Pacers this season. Charlotte's balanced scoring attack and dominant rebounding proved too much for the shorthanded Pacers, highlighting the Hornets' potential as a postseason contender.