Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists, and the short-handed Pacers routed the Charlotte Hornets 144-117 in the Eastern Conference's first play-in game Tuesday.

Sabonis' reaction to the Hornets' attempt to clog the middle changed the game. Doug McDermott scored 16 of his 21 points in the first quarter as the Pacers started 7 of 11 from 3-point range - a decisive flurry that put Charlotte in a big hole.

The ninth-seeded Pacers snapped a franchise-worst nine-game losing streak in the postseason, earning their first win since blowing out Cleveland in Game 6 of a first-round series in April 2018.

And they got it done without Caris LeVert, who was placed in the league's health and safety protocol before the game.

Now Indiana needs one more win to secure a sixth consecutive playoff appearance. The Pacers visit No. 8 Washington on Thursday night.

It was no fun for the Hornets, who were led by Miles Bridges with 23 points. Former Indiana University star Cody Zeller had 17.

The Hornets finished the season with six straight losses. The difference Tuesday showed right from the start - playoff experience.

Oshae Brissett scored 23 points while T.J. McConnell had 17 points, five rebounds and four steals. 
McDermott has scored in double figures in a career-best 14 straight games. The Pacers won despite missing LeVert, starting center Myles Turner (right foot), starting forward T.J. Warren (left foot) and key backup Jeremy Lamb (left knee). 

The Pacers travel to Washington to face the Wizards on Thursday, with the winner claiming the East's final playoff spot. Charlotte heads home for the offseason.

The Pacers have won four of their last six.