Nesmith’s late layup and block cap Pacers comeback win over Bulls at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana closes on 18-4 run, turns a 14-point fourth-quarter hole into a 113-110 win

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 113-110 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse behind two decisive late plays from Aaron Nesmith: a go-ahead reverse layup with 13.9 seconds remaining and a close-range block of Coby White’s final shot attempt with 2.9 seconds left.

Chicago led 101-87 with 7:14 to play, but Indiana responded with an 18-4 surge over the next five minutes to pull even and then trade leads in the final possessions. Jay Huff’s 3-pointer tied the game at 105-105 with about two minutes remaining, setting up a closing sequence that featured multiple lead changes.

Indiana’s 37-point fourth quarter flipped a game in which Chicago had carried momentum and a double-digit cushion deep into the final period.

Balanced scoring supports Indiana’s late execution

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 20 points, with Andrew Nembhard adding 18. Jarace Walker scored 16, Bennedict Mathurin finished with 15, and Nesmith added 14 while delivering the deciding plays at both ends. The win improved Indiana to 3-0 against Chicago this season and marked a second victory in the Pacers’ last three games.

The Pacers’ ability to generate offense from multiple lineup combinations proved important during the comeback, as Indiana steadily reduced the margin before tying the game and taking its first meaningful late lead in the final minute.

Vucevic and Buzelis pace Bulls, but late lead slips away

Nikola Vucevic scored 25 points for Chicago, and Matas Buzelis added 20. The Bulls built their fourth-quarter edge by extending possessions and repeatedly getting to spots near the rim, including the layup that pushed the lead to 14 with just over seven minutes left.

After the Pacers’ run brought them back, Vucevic briefly restored Chicago’s advantage with a 3-pointer with 33.5 seconds remaining to make it 110-109. Indiana answered on Nesmith’s reverse layup, and Johnny Furphy sealed the final margin with two free throws. Chicago’s last chance ended with Nesmith’s block on White near the basket.

Milestones and what comes next

• Josh Giddey recorded seven assists, giving him more than 2,000 for his career.
• The Bulls fell to 23-24 with the loss and have dropped two straight.
• The Pacers improved to 12-36 and will continue a homestand Saturday against Atlanta.

Wednesday’s finish underscored the thin margins of late-game NBA possessions: one defensive stop at the rim and one conversion at the basket were enough to swing the result in the final 14 seconds.