By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 21:58 EST, 8 December 2025 | Updated: 21:59 EST, 8 December 2025
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Andrew Nembhard had 28 points and a season-high 12 assists, and helped Indiana regain control in the fourth quarter as the Pacers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-105 on Monday night.
Bennedict Mathurin added 25 points and Pascal Siakam scored 23 for the Pacers, who matched a season best with their second straight win and improved to 6-18 overall. Indiana has won four of six after starting 2-16.
Russell Westbrook finished with 24 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds for the Kings in his fourth triple-double this season and the 207th of his career. DeMar DeRozan added 20 points and Zach LaVine had 16.
Indiana was in control much of the way, extending a 66-51 halftime lead to 77-58 on Nembhard's layup with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter. But the Kings used a 37-point quarter to trim it to 92-88 going into the fourth, then reeled off an 11-0 run to open a 101-97 lead on Westbrook's basket midway through the period.
Nembhard made a 3-pointer to stem the tide and Mathurin followed with one of his own to put Indiana back on top at 103-101. Nembhard followed with another 3 and a layup to extend the Pacers' lead to 108-101.
The Kings (6-18) were coming off a victory in Miami on Saturday and trying to win two in a row for the second time this season.
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) reaches for a shot by Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Kings: Host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Pacers: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
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Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) makes a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) shoots while being defended by Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, left, and center Jay Huff, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) reacts after making contact with the defense of Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker en route to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Sacramento Kings guard Demar Derozan (10) shoots while being defend by Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff, right, and forward Jarace Walker (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)