Alex is an NBA super 'Sarr' in the making

• Pacers secure 115-103 victory over Wizards at home
• NBL Next Star Alex Sarr leads Wizards with 17 points and 14 rebounds
• Indiana improves to 7-10 for the season, Washington falls to 2-13

NBL Next Stars alumni Alex Sarr arguably had his best game as a professional in the Washington Wizards' 12-point loss to the Indiana Pacers (Game Centre) on Monday, November 2025, 2024 (AEDT). The Pacers beat the Wizards 115-103 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, improving their home record to 5-2 this season.

The Wizards are 2-13, while the Pacers moved to 7-10.

Washington was right there for most of the game with Sarr putting up 17 points and grabbing 14 boards for the first double-double of his NBA career. But the Pacers put the game away in the fourth, outscoring the Wizards 23-16 to kill the game.

Sarr, who played for the Perth Wildcats in 2023-2024 season, was the second pick overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old French power forward / centre played 31 minutes, shot 46.7% from the field, knocked down a three, dished three assists, had two blocks and a steal.

Sarr is averaging 9.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and two blocks in 14 games.

On 12 April 2024, Sarr declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, with his eligibility confirmed by the NBA on 2 May. On 26 June, the Washington Wizards selected Sarr with the second overall pick, marking the franchise's highest selection in 14 years. He was part of a historic draft for France, alongside Zaccharie Risacher (first overall, Atlanta Hawks) and Tidjane Salaün (sixth overall, Charlotte Hornets), making France the first foreign nation to have three native players chosen in the top 10 of any NBA draft.

Sarr signed a rookie-scale contract with the Wizards on 6 July 2024 and played four NBA Summer League games, averaging 5.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. In his NBA debut on 24 October, he recorded two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.

Pacers' Strong Second Half Seals the Deal

The Pacers ended a three-game losing streak after overcoming a slow start to pull away from the Wizards in the second half, outscoring them 58-44 in the final two quarters. Indiana's balanced attack proved too much for Washington, with multiple players contributing key baskets down the stretch.

Pascal Siakam lead the Pacers with 22 while Tyrese Haliburton had 21.

Alex Sarr Shines in Losing Effort

Despite the loss, Sarr showed glimpses of what is to come from the rookie with a solid double-double.

Washington's struggles continue as they search for answers in what has been a challenging start to the season. The team will look to regroup before their next matchup against Australian guard Josh Giddey's Chicago Bulls (Game Centre) on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (AEDT) at 11am.

Meanwhile, the Pacers will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare to host the New Orleans Pelicans (Game Centre) on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 (AEDT) at 11am. With their home record now above .500, Indiana hopes to use Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a fortress in their quest to climb the Eastern Conference standings.