The Pacers survived a disaster‑laden 2025/26 campaign that yielded just 19 wins – the lowest in club history – and the ’26/27 start hasn’t improved much after two weeks.
Eight players sit out Monday’s clash with Atlanta, the second night of a back‑to‑back, Tony East of Circle City Spin notes. Larry Nance Jr. is doubtful with an illness, while Obi Toppin is a questionable lumbar sprain.
East points out the Pacers must activate Toppin or Nance merely to satisfy the eight‑player minimum. Jay Huff, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson are slated for tonight, joined by two‑way contracts Jalen Slawson, Kobe Brown and Braden Smith.
Such a depleted lineup echoes the Nov. 9 loss to Golden State, when Indiana was beaten by 31 points, East adds.
The team dropped to 2‑5 after a home defeat by the winless Nets, prompting doubts about who they can beat without their offensive firepower. Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard played, yet they’ll all miss Monday. For my money, the Pacers’ chances look bleak without those scorers.
Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring), T.J. McConnell (right hamstring), Johnny Furphy (right ACL surgery), Ben Sheppard (left meniscus surgery) and Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) remain on the shelf. Indiana can’t invoke a hardship exception with only 14 roster spots and a hard‑cap ceiling looming.
Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Kyrie Irving is unlikely to suit up Monday versus Sacramento as the Mavericks downgraded him to doubtful, citing left‑knee management after missing last season with a torn ACL. Dallas rides a three‑game streak; the Kings sit winless at 0‑6.
- Wizards center Alex Sarr is out with left‑knee soreness, and two‑way guard Reece Beekman will be reevaluated in three weeks after a right AC‑joint injury. Can Washington find a spark without Sarr and Beekman?