Analysis · NBA regular season, 23 October 2026
Dallas beat higher-ranked Indiana 121-105 to get their season moving
A 44-27 first quarter and P.J. Washington's 20 points and 13 rebounds lifted the Mavericks to 1-2.
PF, Dallas · Indiana 105-121 Dallas
P.J. Washington
- Points
- 20
- Rebounds
- 13
- Assists
- 0
- Threes
- 2/4
- PIR
- 24
Source: TeamKeys, 2026-10-23
How Dallas's fast start against Indiana changes the NBA table
Dallas beat Indiana 121-105 on the road, moving to 1-2 and 20th of 30 in the NBA. Indiana drop to 2-1 and sit 11th.
It was a win against a team higher in the table, and it was built on a fast start. Dallas took the first quarter 44-27, and Indiana spent the rest of the night chasing.
At the top, Minnesota lead at 3-0, with Portland 2-0 in second and LA Lakers and Detroit also unbeaten at 3-0. Dallas have ground to make up, but this result gives their record a needed lift.
| Team | Won-lost | Last games |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Minnesota Timberwolves | 3-0 | W W W |
| 2. Portland Trail Blazers | 2-0 | W W |
| 3. Los Angeles Lakers | 3-0 | W W W |
| 4. Detroit Pistons | 3-0 | W W W |
| 11. Indiana Pacers | 2-1 | W L W |
| 20. Dallas Mavericks | 1-2 | L W L |
Where Dallas won the game: the first two quarters
Dallas won the game in the first half, taking the first quarter 44-27 and the second 33-16. Indiana never fully recovered from that start.
Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 24 points in 25 minutes, hitting 5/10 from three. Cooper Flagg added 14 points in only 17 minutes, going 2/2 from deep and 4/4 at the line.
Naji Marshall gave the bench real weight, with 15 points, 6 assists and 3 steals in 33 minutes. Flagg also had 3 steals and 6 assists, so Dallas created chances at both ends.
| Player | Points | PIR |
|---|---|---|
| P.J. Washington (Dallas) | 20 | 24 |
 Cooper Flagg (Dallas) | 14 | 23 |
 Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) | 18 | 22 |
 Andrew Nembhard (Indiana) | 16 | 16 |
 Kyrie Irving (Dallas) | 24 | 15 |
 Ivica Zubac (Indiana) | 9 | 14 |
How Indiana fought back in the second half
Indiana won both second-half quarters, 33-21 and 29-23, but the gap from the first half was too wide to close. Dallas held on for a 16-point win.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 18 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, going 8/13 inside the arc. His 0/4 from three limited how quickly Indiana could cut into the deficit.
Andrew Nembhard scored 16 and made 5/5 free throws, while Obi Toppin added 13 off the bench. Ivica Zubac finished with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
P.J. Washington stats against Indiana
P.J. Washington decided the game with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in 33 minutes. His PIR of 24 was the highest in the game.
He scored from every spot on the floor: 4/7 inside, 2/4 from three and 6/8 at the line. His blocks and rebounds gave Dallas protection near the basket.
Washington ranked 67th of 260 rated players by TeamKeys Rating in 2025/2026, with a rating of 81.4. Flagg ranked 14th that season, and his PIR of 23 here came in just 17 minutes.
Next games: Dallas v Miami Heat, Indiana v Milwaukee Bucks
Dallas play the Miami Heat next on 26 October, and Indiana face the Milwaukee Bucks on 27 October.
Another win against Miami would help Dallas move away from 20th place. Indiana, 11th at 2-1, will want a quick response against Milwaukee to stay close to the unbeaten group led by Minnesota.
Statistics from the box score of the 2026/2027 NBA regular season game between the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks, played on 23 October 2026.
Questions people ask
What was the score of Indiana Pacers v Dallas Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks won 121-105 away at the Indiana Pacers on 23 October 2026. Dallas built the win with a 44-27 first quarter and a 33-16 second, before Indiana won the third and fourth quarters without closing the 16-point margin.
Who was the best player in Pacers v Mavericks?
P.J. Washington was the standout for Dallas, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in 33 minutes. His PIR of 24 was the highest in the game. Kyrie Irving scored 24 points, and Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 18.
Where are Dallas and Indiana in the NBA standings?
After this game Dallas are 1-2 and 20th of 30 teams in the NBA, while Indiana are 2-1 and 11th. Minnesota top the table at 3-0. Dallas play the Miami Heat next, and Indiana face the Milwaukee Bucks.
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