Hibbert, coming off a Game One performance in which he failed to record a point or rebound, broke through with 28 points and nine rebounds that allowed Indiana to tie the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Indiana's seven-footer had been under fire for his poor play throughout the post-season and he credited his team for helping him regain form.
"Paul (George) took me out on his boat yesterday and we sat there and fished - we didn't even talk about basketball," Hibbert said.
"My team-mates really believed in me. I'm thankful for such great team-mates."
Things were not as harmonious for the whole game for the top-seeded Pacers, who trailed 77-74 with five minutes to go before answering with a 10-2 run that clinched the contest.
Lance Stephenson hit a 3-pointer with 21.4 seconds left, giving the Pacers a five-point lead. Stephenson finished with 12 points, and guard George Hill scored 14.
Marcin Gortat tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wizards. Bradley Beal added 17 points and seven assists while point guard John Wall had a second difficult shooting night, making just 2-for-13 from the field.
The Wizards now head home to Washington for Game Three on Friday.
Washington surprised Indiana by jumping on them early in Game One, but it was the turn of the Wizards to be blindsided by Hibbert in the rematch.
"We knew he was going to get touches, no one expected him to score 28," Gortat said.
"The most important thing is to make sure he's not going to come back the next game with the same effort."
Newly crowned MVP Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-101 to level their second round play-off series.
A day after he was named the NBA's top player, Durant came up with a performance that included 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Westbrook backed him up with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the home Thunder tied the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Durant lifted his new trophy in front of the Oklahoma City crowd prior to the game, but quickly had to focus on lifting his team.
"I didn't want to take that moment for granted. It was surreal. I wanted to enjoy it, but focus on the game at the same time," Durant said. "I liked our intensity and focus to start the game."
Having been blown out in a Game One home loss Monday, Oklahoma City responded with a second-half surge and led by 20 in the fourth quarter.
Chris Paul tallied 17 points and 11 assists for the Clippers after a career shooting performance that included eight three-pointers in the previous game.
Paul spent much of the game chasing Westbrook, who notched his third triple-double in the last five games.
"I think (Westbrook) played harder than all of us combined," Paul said. "He was all over the place. We have to play better."
Los Angeles trailed by five at half-time but the Thunder broke the game open in the third quarter where they outscored the Clippers 33-21.
It was a good night for the Oklahoma City supporting cast including Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha, who tallied 14 points apiece.
Los Angeles All Star forward Blake Griffin had a quiet night with 15 points and six rebounds.
Game Three is on Friday in Los Angeles.
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