Pacers rally but fall short against Wizards in NBA season opener

The Indiana Pacers open the 2022-23 NBA season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Washington Wizards.

The Pacers have added No. 6 overall NBA Draft pick Bennedict Mathurin and traded away Malcolm Brogdon since last season, which ended with 10 consecutive losses. Wednesday night's starters are Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Jalen Smith and Terry Taylor. Myles Turner tweaked an ankle in pregame warmups and was ruled out.

Wilson Moore, Matthew VanTryon and Gregg Doyel will offer updates throughout, and we'll have highlights here, so please remember to refresh.

Final: Wizards 114, Pacers 107

Tyrese Haliburton leads Indiana with 26 points and 6 assists. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin has 19 points and 7 rebounds. Buddy Hield adds 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Smith has 16 points and 8 rebounds.

Haliburton had a tying 3 in the final half-minute that was a little strong. The Pacers had trailed by 18 points earlier in the fourth quarter, and they never led.

Bradley Beal scores 23 points and Kyle Kuzma 22 (with 12 rebounds) for Washington. Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Pacers twice missed both free throws on a possession (Mathurin, Smith) in the fourth quarter. Indiana was 3-of-9 from the line in the period.

5:20 left 4Q: Pacers cut deficit to single digits

Tyrese Haliburton gets the and-1. He's up to 24 points and Indiana trails Washington 103-95. Chris Duarte returns to the court and is available.

6:33 left 4Q: Wizards 101, Pacers 89

Chris Duarte left the game after getting popped in the face under Washington's basket. He bled onto the court. He scored 5 points.

8:40 left 4Q: Washington's lead grows

Also, coach Rick Carlisle picked up a technical foul.

10:44 left 4Q: Wizards gain their largest lead

Two early baskets put them ahead 91-77. Timeout, Pacers.

End of third quarter: Wizards 87, Pacers 77

Bradley Beal has 22 points and Kyle Kuzma 18 for Washington, which is shooting 48% from the field and 40% on 3s. Washington is +5 in rebounding.

Tyrese Haliburton has 21, Buddy Hield 16 and Bennedict Mathurin 14 for Indiana (39% and 33%).

7:00 left 3Q: Pacers cut slightly into deficit

Washington leads 74-68. Tyrese Haliburton is up to 21 points, helped by some fancy dribbling on the way to a dunk.

Halftime: Wizards 60, Pacers 52

Tyrese Haliburton has 17 points, Buddy Hield 13 and Bennedict Mathurin 12 for the Pacers, who are shooting 38.8% and have committed 10 turnovers.

Bradley Beal has 13 for Washington, while Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis have 11 each.

The Pacers had closed within 1, but Washington scored 11 straight to lead 55-43.

Washington wing Deni Avdija leaves the game with an apparent ankle injury.

5:46 left 2Q: Buddy Hield heats up

The Pacers close within 44-41 on a pair of Hield baskets, including a 3-pointer. He's 3-of-4 from deep with 11 points.

6:57 left 2Q: Wizards 44, Pacers 36

Washington calls a timeout after Tyrese Haliburton makes a short jumper. He and Bennedict Mathurin each have 12 points.

Wondering about the "6" patch on everyone's uniforms? Those honor NBA legend Bill Russell, who died earlier this year.

9:21 left 2Q: Wizards 41, Pacers 29

Pacers call a timeout after Will Barton is allowed to drive straight to the basket for a dunk.

End of 1st quarter: Wizards 36, Pacers 25

Washington's Will Barton hits a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Bennedict Mathurin scores 10 points off the bench, including 2 3-pointers.

2:15 left 1Q: Wizards extend lead

Washington leads 31-19 behind 10 points by Kyle Kuzma and 55% shooting from the field. Tyrese Haliburton has 10 for Indiana, which is shooting 31.6% and has committed 4 turnovers.

6:36 left 1Q: Bennedict Mathurin makes NBA debut

The Pacers are down 21-11 as the No. 6 overall pick reports. He scores with a floater over Kristaps Porzingis on his first possession.

10:30 left 1Q: Wizards start hot

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle calls a timeout after they fall behind 8-3. Tyrese Haliburton has all the Pacers points. Washington is 3-of-4 shooting and Indiana has committed two turnovers.

7:10 p.m.: Mario Andretti revs up the crowd

The IndyCar legend revved the engine of a replica race car. The Pacers plan to have a special guest each home game to do this throughout the season.

6:30 p.m.: Myles Turner is out

The Pacers big man tweaked an ankle in pregame warmups and has been ruled out. Backup big man Daniel Theis (knee) is also out. Jalen Smith and Aaron Nesmith will play after being questionable.

Terry Taylor moves into the starting lineup.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs Wizards highlights, updates, scores from tonight's NBA game