Pacers Roll Past Bulls 120–105 in Chicago

Siakam, Mathurin Ignite Pacers’ Surge

Pascal Siakam was the undisputed star of the night, exploding for a season-high 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including five threes, along with nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points, drilling six triples and keeping the Bulls’ defenders off-balance. The supporting cast — including smart play by Andrew Nembhard and timely contributions from role players — allowed Indiana to sustain offensive pressure all night and snap their 11-game road losing streak.

After a quiet first quarter, the Pacers used a strong second quarter and a punishing start to the third — a 20–6 run — to blow the game open and build a substantial lead.

Story continues below.

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Bulls Show Effort — But Mistakes Cost Them

Chicago got clean, spirited efforts from several players despite the loss. Coby White returned from a short absence to post 22 points, showing energy and willingness to compete. Young forward Matas Buzelis delivered a solid double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, working hard on the glass and trying to spark a Bulls comeback. And with Zach Collins returning to action — contributing eight points and six boards — Chicago briefly showed signs of life inside.

Despite that effort, the Bulls committed 18 turnovers, far too many to sustain an offensive rhythm, especially against a Pacers squad hunting transition opportunities. On defense, they failed to contest enough perimeter looks, giving Mathurin and Siakam room to operate and punish their lapses.

Game Flow & Pivotal Moments

Chicago actually came out fast — outscoring Indiana in the first quarter 33–30 — but the second quarter tilt began to swing momentum. By halftime, the Pacers held a five-point lead. The beginning of the third quarter marked the turning point: Indiana’s 20–6 flurry stretched the lead into double digits, and Chicago never truly recovered.

Though the Bulls mounted periodic runs and trimmed the margin to single digits at one point, every time they narrowed the gap, Indiana responded with a bucket or a timely stop. By the fourth quarter, the deficit hovered around 15 points — too much for Chicago to overcome.

Implications for Bulls & What Needs to Change

This loss, part of a growing skid, highlights persistent issues for Chicago: sloppy turnovers, defensive inconsistency, and lack of physicality on the perimeter. Even when multiple players contribute — as White, Buzelis, and Collins did — the team fails to put together a complete 48-minute performance.

If the Bulls hope to turn close games into wins, they’ll need sharper ball security, more consistent defensive rotation, and better execution in crunch time. The flashes of talent and effort are there, but without discipline and cohesion, the results will continue to slip away.

Meanwhile, for the Pacers, this game should boost confidence. With Siakam and Mathurin leading the way and the supporting cast stepping up, Indiana showed it still has the offensive firepower and discipline to steal wins, even on the road.