Mavericks Snap 10-Game Skid With Thriller Over Shorthanded Pacers

Dallas edges Indiana 134-130 in high-scoring affair as Khris Middleton leads the way

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:13pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the Mavericks-Pacers matchup.A cubist interpretation of the intense back-and-forth action between the Mavericks and Pacers, capturing the game's high-scoring drama through a fragmented, geometric lens.Philadelphia Today

The Dallas Mavericks snapped their 10-game losing streak with a thrilling 134-130 victory over the injury-plagued Indiana Pacers on February 22, 2026. Khris Middleton led the Mavericks with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while the Pacers were missing several key players including All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.

Why it matters

This win was a much-needed boost for the struggling Mavericks, who had not won since January 22 against the Warriors. The Pacers, on the other hand, continued their post-All-Star break woes, falling to 0-3 without several starters. The game highlighted the importance of depth and adaptability in the competitive NBA landscape.

The details

The Mavericks were led by Khris Middleton's 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, with strong supporting efforts from P.J. Washington (23 points, 9 rebounds) and Marvin Bagley III (12 points, 11 rebounds). The Pacers were without several key players due to injuries, including Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, T.J. McConnell, and All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. Despite this, the Pacers fought hard, led by Pascal Siakam's 30 points and 8 rebounds, along with Andrew Nembhard's 22 points and 11 assists, and Jarace Walker's 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

  • The game was played on February 22, 2026.
  • The Mavericks had not won since January 22 against the Golden State Warriors, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
  • The Pacers fell to 0-3 since the All-Star break.

The players

Khris Middleton

A key player for the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 25 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists in the win.

P.J. Washington

Contributed 23 points and 9 rebounds for the Mavericks.

Marvin Bagley III

Recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks.

Pascal Siakam

The Pacers' All-Star forward returned from a three-game absence to score 30 points and grab 8 rebounds.

Andrew Nembhard

Contributed 22 points and 11 assists for the Pacers.

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What they’re saying

“This win was a huge relief for us. We've been struggling, and it's great to finally get back in the win column.”

— Khris Middleton, Mavericks Player

“We gave it our all, but the injuries really hurt us tonight. We'll regroup and come back stronger.”

— Pascal Siakam, Pacers All-Star Forward

What’s next

The Mavericks will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, while the Pacers will aim to bounce back when they host the 76ers on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the importance of depth and adaptability in the NBA, as the Mavericks were able to overcome their recent struggles and secure a much-needed win, while the shorthanded Pacers put up a valiant effort despite missing several key players.