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Wizards vs. Pacers final score: Washington blows out Indiana 142-115 to clinch final playoff berth in the East

Washington is making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 NBA season.

By Albert Lee
Indiana Pacers v Washington Wizards - Play-In Tournament
It was an ugly regular season, but Russell Westbrook led the Washington Wizards to their goal of making the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images

The Washington Wizards are still alive! They are headed to the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs after a 142-115 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

I’ll admit it. I prepared for this game expecting a Washington Wizards loss. Because of that, I prepared a piece of the move we’ve been waiting for as a fanbase, the most anticipated move since Ernie Grunfeld’s ouster. But let’s be honest. The Wizards didn't want this to happen, at least right away. So here we are.

They started the first half with a 66-52 halftime lead. Russell Westbrook had a near triple-double in the first two quarters, and Washington shot 56.2 percent while holding the Pacers to just 37.3 percent.

Washington continued their run in the third quarter to put this game out of reach in the third quarter after shooting 75 percent from the field (and 75 percent from three), with Bradley Beal scoring 16 of his 25 points in that period. That helped Washington enter the fourth quarter with a 114-83 lead where the outcome wasn’t in doubt.

For the Wizards, Westbrook didn’t get a triple-double, but he still had 18 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds. In addition to Beal’s 25 points, Rui Hachimura scored 18 more points on 6-of-8 shooting.

Daniel Gafford had a double double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks!

As for the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists but was in foul trouble. In fact, he fouled out in this game.

The Wizards will face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Game One will be on Sunday, May 23 at 1 p.m ET which you can see on TNT. See you all then!