Pacers Break Franchise-Record Losing Streak with Victory Over Hornets

Pacers End Historic Slump with Narrow Win

The Indiana Pacers finally broke through on January 8, 2026, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 101-97 at Spectrum Center, snapping a franchise-record 13-game losing streak. The victory was particularly significant as Pacers coach Rick Carlisle grabbed his 1,000th career win, a milestone that had been delayed through weeks of frustration.

A Battle Between Struggling Eastern Conference Teams

The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with Indiana entering the game at 6-31 whilst Charlotte held a 13-24 record. The Hornets were coming off a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley that resulted in a 97-96 loss just 24 hours earlier, setting up a back-to-back challenge for the home team.

The Indiana Pacers had lost 15 of their last 17 games overall before Thursday’s contest, with the Pacers looking for their first victory in a month. Their struggles had been compounded by significant injuries, including Haliburton out with his torn Achilles.

LaMelo Ball Shines Despite Hornets’ Loss

In an unexpected lineup change, LaMelo Ball came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season, with Collin Sexton getting the starting nod. Despite the role change, Ball delivered an outstanding performance. He finished with 33 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, hit 7 threes, and was a +19 on the night.

The game remained competitive throughout, with Ball checking back in at the 7:33 mark of the fourth quarter when the Hornets trailed by 4. In the final moments, Collin Sexton had a great look to make the game-tying shot but missed, and the Hornets lost both nights of the back-to-back.

Significance for Both Teams

For the Pacers, this victory represented more than just breaking a losing streak. Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the extraordinary situation, praising his players who were ‘fighting their butts off’ throughout the difficult stretch. The win gives Indiana hope as they try to salvage their season despite sitting at the bottom of the conference.

The Hornets, meanwhile, continue to show resilience despite injuries. Charlotte delivered a shocking blowout victory over the Thunder at Paycom Center earlier in the week, demonstrating their potential. However, consecutive close losses highlight the fine margins at play as they seek to climb the Eastern Conference standings.