Bennedict Mathurin sparks Pacers to second victory, 127-118 over Hornets

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bennedict Mathurin scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 127-118 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

The Pacers, off to their worst start in franchise history with 12 losses in 13 previous games, pulled away in the second quarter as Mathurin scored nine of his team's last 11 points for a 70-54 halftime lead. Indiana has been without as many as seven players due to injuries, including Mathurin, who returned Monday after missing 10 games with a toe injury.

Pascal Siakam scored 22 points and backup center Jay Huff scored 20 as the Pacers had six players in double digits.

Indiana hit 16 of 38 from beyond the arc while the Hornets were 13 of 45.

Rookie guard Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 28 points, including five 3s. Miles Bridges scored 25.

The Hornets (4-11) are 1-7 on the road.

The Hornets host the L.A. Clippers on Saturday.

The Pacers visit Cleveland on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives between Charlotte Hornets guard Pat Connaughton (21) and forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers forward Andrew Nembhard (2) drives around Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) shoots ver Charlotte Hornets forward Drew Peterson (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) is fouled as he drives past Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin (00) plays against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

MADRID (AP) — Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday condemned the anti-Muslim chants made by Spanish fans during a friendly soccer game in the latest incident to dent the nation’s sporting image.

The Spanish government and the soccer federation also condemned the chants, and police said they were investigating the behavior by fans during Tuesday's game between Spain and Egypt in the city of Barcelona.

Yamal, who is Muslim, said the chants made by part of the fans at RCDE Stadium were disrespectful and intolerable. He said it didn't matter that the chants were not directed at him personally.

“I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: Using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you look ignorant and racist,” he wrote on Instagram. “Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe."

Racist abuse against players are not uncommon in Spain. Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has often been subjected to racist taunts during soccer matches. Sexism has also been an issue, as Spanish soccer endured one of its most embarrassing incidents when then-federation boss Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. He was eventually found guilty of sexual assault.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also condemned the anti-Muslim chants after the game, which was part of the team's preparations for the World Cup.

“I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes," he said. "They are intolerable.”

The game ended in a 0-0 draw. Egypt is a majority-Muslim country.

“Hate, racism, and xenophobia have no place in stadiums or in our society,” Milagros Tolón, the Spanish minister in charge of sports, said Wednesday.

Catalonia’s regional police said "we will investigate yesterday’s Islamophobic and xenophobic chants at the RCDE Stadium during the friendly match Spain-Egypt.”

Barcelona-based club Espanyol condemned what it called “racist behavior" at its stadium.

“Such actions are reprehensible and unacceptable, do not represent the values ​​of sport, and must be firmly condemned and eradicated from all sporting venues,” Espanyol said.

The club claimed that its supporters were being unfairly blamed for the incident in a “smear campaign” and that the national team fans came from “very diverse geographical and footballing backgrounds.”

Last year, an Espanyol fan accused of racially insulting Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams during a Spanish league game in 2020 accepted a deal to avoid prison time.

Spain is due to play Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, and also faces Cape Verde and Uruguay in Group H of the 48-team tournament. Egypt has games against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

Spain was hosting Egypt for the game, which had originally been expected to be played in Qatar before the region was affected by the Iran war. A “Finalissima” game there between South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain was canceled after they couldn't agree to reschedule.

FIFA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Tuesday's chants.

AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Spain's Lamine Yamal controls the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's Lamine Yamal reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Egypt's goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saves during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona , Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)