Pacers Storm Back in Fourth Quarter to Top Bulls

Indiana rallies from 14-point deficit in final period to defeat Chicago

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:47am

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The Indiana Pacers overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 113-110 on Wednesday in Indianapolis. Pascal Siakam scored 13 of his 20 points in the final period, and the Pacers closed the game on a 26-9 run to earn the victory.

Why it matters

This comeback win is a significant boost for the struggling Pacers, who have won just 2 of their first 32 games this season when trailing after three quarters. The loss is a tough one for the Bulls, who had been on a four-game winning streak prior to this defeat.

The details

Andrew Nembhard added 18 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds for the Pacers, who trailed 101-87 with 7:14 left before rallying to tie the game at 105 with 2 minutes remaining. Nembhard's jumper with 39.7 seconds left gave Indiana their first lead since early in the first quarter. Nikola Vucevic hit a 3-pointer to tie it, but Aaron Nesmith's layup with 13.9 seconds left put the Pacers back on top for good.

  • The Pacers trailed by 14 points with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter.
  • Indiana tied the game at 105 with 2:00 remaining in the final period.
  • Nembhard's go-ahead jumper came with 39.7 seconds left in the game.
  • Nesmith's layup that put the Pacers ahead for good came with 13.9 seconds left.

The players

Pascal Siakam

The Pacers forward scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead Indiana's comeback.

Andrew Nembhard

The Pacers guard contributed 18 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, including the go-ahead jumper in the final minute.

Nikola Vucevic

The Bulls center scored a team-high 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the loss.

Matas Buzelis

The Bulls forward had 20 points and 8 rebounds in the game.

Aaron Nesmith

The Pacers forward hit the game-winning layup with 13.9 seconds left to give Indiana the lead for good.

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What they’re saying

“We must have showed a lot of heart and determination to come back from that big of a deficit in the fourth quarter. I'm really proud of the way our guys fought until the end.”

— Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach (Indianapolis Star)

“It's a tough loss, no doubt about it. We had control of the game for most of the night, but they just made the plays down the stretch when it counted most.”

— Billy Donovan, Bulls Head Coach (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Pacers will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls, meanwhile, will try to bounce back from this defeat when they take on the Celtics on Friday.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Pacers' resilience and ability to rally from a large deficit, while also highlighting the Bulls' inability to close out a game they had firmly in control for most of the night. It was an exciting finish that demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the NBA season.