Philippines, 10 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Playoffs - Hibbert steps up as Pacers even series with Wizards


PhilBoxing.com




INDIANAPOLIS -- It wasn?t quite a ?do or die? game just yet, but the Indiana Pacers knew coming in to Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Washington Wizards that going on the road in a 0-2 against a dangerous and well-balanced team was close enough.

And after a disappointing series opener on Monday wherein he managed to commit more fouls than he had points, rebounds, assists and blocks combined, it was the Pacers? two-time All-Star Roy Hibbert who led the charge for the inconsistent Pacers with 28 points and nine boards to spearhead the Pacers to an 86-82 victory on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

?Sometimes I wear my heart on my sleeve and other times I just keep things in,? Hibbert told the media gathered at the conference room after the game. ?Tonight, I just felt like I just had one thing on my mind: to help this team win. Like I said, my teammates did a great job of getting me the ball in my sweet spot and believing in me. I just wanted to return the favor.?

Found him they did as the Pacers made a concentrated effort to hit their big man early and often. Hibbert scored the Pacers? first five points of the game off assists from Lance Stephenson and David West to immediately eclipse his 0 point effort in Game 1. By halftime, Hibbert already amassed 17 points and was all
of a sudden playing like one of the best center in basketball.

?I thought it was just his determination to get good position and for him to get the ball where he wanted and when he got the ball, he took his time and he got the shots
that he wanted. I thought he concentrated on his finishes and again, really carried us,? West said.

The Wizards? bigs didn?t allow to be outdone, however, as Marcin Gortat and Nene kept the Wizards close chipping in 21 and 14
points respectively. But just when their frontcourt was hitting from all cylinders, the Wizards 3-point shooting - which accounted for 30 points in Game 1 - was a non-factor as they only shot 5-21 from beyond the arc.

The low-scoring
game which saw eight lead changes and 15 deadlocks was up in the air all the way to the final seconds after Bradley Beal hit a 3-pointer to bring the Wizards within two with 11.4 seconds left. But the veteran West knocked down two free throws after being put on the line and the Pacers? defense held firm to get the stop and maintain the final margin of victory.

George Hill also had a solid game for the Pacers with 14 points and four assists and no turnover, while Stephenson and Paul George chipped in 12 and 11 respectively.

Beal finished with 17 points for the Wizards, while John Wall struggled with his shot hitting only 2-13 for six points, but did manage to distribute the ball well with eight assists. Game 3 is on Friday in D.C.

Photo: Pacers big man Roy Hibbert (L) bounced back big with 28 points to lead the Pacers past the Wizards in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Michael Medina.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.