### Pacers' Triumph: A Milestone Victory for Coach Rick Carlisle The Indiana Pacers achieved a significant victory on January 9, 2026, by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 114-112, which not only ended their dismal 13-game losing streak but also marked the 1,000th career win for head coach Rick Carlisle. This win was particularly poignant as Carlisle had been waiting since December 8, 2025, to reach this milestone, having been stuck on 999 victories due to the team's struggles with injuries and performance. Pascal Siakam was instrumental in the win, scoring 30 points and securing 14 rebounds, while T.J. McConnell contributed 23 points and Aaron Nesmith added 16 points. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, but it was not enough to secure a win for Charlotte [https://apnews.com/article/pacers-hornets-score-8fb741e57a5a376fe4abe2e675d90055][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pacers-end-13-game-losing-031803378.html]. ### Breakdown of the Pacers' Victory and Carlisle's Milestone 1. **Game Overview** - The Pacers faced the Hornets in a tightly contested match that culminated in a last-minute layup by Siakam, sealing the victory. - This win ended a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak, which had begun after Carlisle's 999th win [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pacers-beat-hornets-114-112-030548748.html]. 2. **Key Player Performances** - **Pascal Siakam**: Scored 30 points, including the decisive layup, and grabbed 14 rebounds. - **T.J. McConnell**: Contributed significantly with 23 points and 8 assists. - **Aaron Nesmith**: Added 16 points to the team's total. - **LaMelo Ball**: Despite his impressive 33 points and 8 assists, he could not lead the Hornets to victory [https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/01/08/rick-carlisle-gets-1000th-win-as-pacers-snap-losing-skid-vs-hornets]. 3. **Historical Context** - Rick Carlisle became the 11th coach in NBA history to achieve 1,000 wins, improving his career record to 1,000-891 over 24 seasons [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/basketball/nba-matches-results-scores-8-january-2026-highlights-heat-vs-bulls-postponed/article70489664.ece]. - The victory was a long-awaited celebration for Carlisle, who had been under pressure due to the team's prolonged losing streak [https://www.wsls.com/sports/2026/01/09/pacers-coach-rick-carlisle-wins-his-1000th-game-after-monthlong-wait-as-team-ends-13-game-skid]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Game Statistics**: - **Final Score**: Pacers 114, Hornets 112 - **Pacers' Key Players**: - Pascal Siakam: 30 points, 14 rebounds - T.J. McConnell: 23 points, 8 assists - Aaron Nesmith: 16 points - **Hornets' Key Player**: - LaMelo Ball: 33 points, 8 assists, 7 three-pointers [https://heavy.com/sports/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-win-carlisle-gets-1000]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Pacers **The Pacers' victory over the Hornets not only signifies a crucial turnaround for the team but also celebrates Rick Carlisle's remarkable coaching career.** 1. **Milestone Achievement**: Carlisle's 1,000th win is a testament to his enduring legacy in the NBA. 2. **Team Resilience**: The end of the 13-game losing streak highlights the potential for recovery and improvement within the Pacers' roster. 3. **Future Outlook**: This victory could serve as a catalyst for the Pacers to build momentum for the remainder of the season [https://www.nujournal.com/sports/national-sports-apwire/2026/01/09/pacers-coach-rick-carlisle-wins-his-1000th-game].