Went to the finals last season but lost 4 games in a row at the start! Sika scored 27+13 in the air, Thick Eyebrow retreated due to injury, Flagg scored 15+10

The Mavericks will face the Pacers at home today. It is worth mentioning that the two teams reached the finals in 2024 and 2025 respectively, but ultimately failed to win the championship. In addition, the core defenders of both teams, Irving and Haliburton, have suffered serious injuries and are currently recuperating and unable to play. Not only that, Big Eyebrow also left the game early due to injury today, but the Mavericks still narrowly defeated the Pacers 107-105, giving the Pacers their first 4 consecutive losses. However, the Mavericks' record was only 2 wins and 3 losses.

The Pacers have yet to win this season and are one of only three teams in the league that have failed to win their first victory. The other two teams are the Pelicans and Nets. Among them, the Pelicans and Pacers have suffered 4 consecutive losses, while the Nets have suffered 5 consecutive losses. As the Pacers' finals team last season, this performance is indeed a bit disappointing, but considering that Haliburton is recuperating from injury and Turner has joined the Bucks, it is excusable.

Nongmei only played 6 and a half minutes in the first quarter today before he suffered a calf injury and retired early. He made 2 of 4 shots and scored 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. Flagg, the No. 1 pick, was in good form. He played 35 minutes, making 6 of 11 shots, 3 of 3 free throws, 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block, with a plus-minus of -7.

Brandon Williams had a big breakout. He came off the bench for 22 minutes, made 9 of 14 shots, and scored a team-high 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Powell was also very impressive, playing 29 minutes off the bench, making 4 of 6 shots, 10 of 12 three-pointers, 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, with a team-high plus-minus of +12.

Russell played steadily and played 20 minutes as a substitute. He made 5 of 11 shots, 1 of 5 three-pointers, 3 of 3 free throws, and scored 14 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal. Washington felt bad. After 29 minutes of starting, he made 2 of 8 shots, 0 of 2 three-pointers, and scored 9 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. There were 2 more turnovers. Thompson still felt cold. He played 22 minutes, made 2 of 10 shots, 1 of 6 three-pointers, and only scored 5 points.

For the Pacers, Siakam was alone. He played 37 minutes and made 9 of 23, 2 of 5 three-pointers, 7 of 12 free throws, 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He also made 3 turnovers, with a plus-minus value of +7. Jareth Walker had a mediocre touch. He played 37 minutes and made only 5 of 19 shots, 4 of 10 three-pointers, 6 of 7 free throws, and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

Rey Dennis came off the bench for 30 minutes, making 6 of 13 shots, 4 of 7 three-pointers, 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, with a team-high plus-minus of +13. Nesmith had a poor touch. He played 36 minutes and made only 2 of 16 shots, including 1 of 9 three-pointers and 0 of 2 free throws. He only scored 5 points and 3 rebounds, and also missed a three-pointer at the last moment.