You're sitting there, jersey on, maybe a local Sun King brew in hand, and you realize the tip-off is in twenty minutes. Then the panic hits. Is it on Bally? Did Amazon take over yet? Is it a national broadcast on TNT where I have to listen to Reggie Miller talk about his own jersey in the rafters? Finding out how can I watch the Pacers game tonight shouldn't feel like trying to break down a full-court press by yourself.
The landscape of Indiana basketball media is, frankly, a bit of a mess right now. Between the bankruptcy drama of regional sports networks and the league’s shifting digital rights, fans are often left staring at a "blackout" screen. It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. But if you know which apps to toggle, you’re usually only three clicks away from Tyrese Haliburton throwing a look-away dime.
The Local Choice: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
Let's get the name change out of the way. If you’re looking for Bally Sports Indiana, it’s gone. Sort of. It’s now FanDuel Sports Network Indiana. Basically, the same crews, the same Quinn Buckner "smothered chicken" calls, but a different logo in the corner of your screen.
For those living in the Indianapolis metro area or across most of Indiana, this is your primary answer for how can I watch the Pacers game tonight. If you still have traditional cable—think Xfinity, Spectrum, or DirecTV—you’re probably fine. You just find the channel and sit back. But for the "cord-cutters" who ditched the box years ago, things get trickier.
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FuboTV is currently one of the few streaming services that carries the local FanDuel Sports Network. It’s pricey, honestly. You’re looking at a bill that feels like a cable bill. But if you want every single game without thinking about it, that’s the path. There is also the FanDuel Sports Network app (formerly Bally Sports+). You can subscribe directly to the stream for about $20 a month. It’s a dedicated way to bypass the big cable bundles, though the app has a reputation for being a bit glitchy during high-traffic moments against teams like the Knicks or Bucks.
National TV: When the World Watches Indy
Sometimes the Pacers actually get the respect they deserve. When that happens, you won't find the game on the local regional network. Instead, you'll be hunting for ESPN, TNT, or ABC.
If the game is a national exclusive, the local FanDuel stream will be blacked out. This is a common point of confusion. You'll try to log into your local app and see a "content unavailable" message. Don't throw your remote. Check the national listings.
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- TNT Games: You can watch these through Max (formerly HBO Max) if you have the B/R Sports Add-on. It’s a crisp, high-bitrate stream that usually looks better than cable.
- ESPN/ABC Games: These are available on almost every streaming pivot—YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV (Orange tier).
- NBA TV: This is the "middle ground." Sometimes NBA TV picks up the local broadcast feed. If you live in Indy, you might still be blacked out on NBA TV and forced to watch on the local regional network. If you live in, say, Seattle? NBA TV is your best friend.
The League Pass Loophole (and its Catch)
NBA League Pass is arguably the best value in sports if you live outside of the Indiana television market. If you’re a Pacers fan living in Austin, Texas, you can watch nearly every game for a relatively low annual fee.
But there is a massive "but."
If you are physically located in the Pacers' home territory, League Pass will not show you the game live. They use your IP address and GPS to lock you out. This is to protect the local broadcasters who paid millions for the rights. You can watch the replay three hours after the game ends, but for most of us, the spoilers on social media ruin the fun long before then.
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Digital Alternatives and New Tech
The NBA is experimenting. We are seeing more games move to Amazon Prime Video as part of new distribution deals. While not every game is there yet, the league is clearly moving toward a future where a Prime subscription is as vital as a pair of sneakers. Always check your Prime dashboard on game days; occasionally, a game will be featured there as a "free" add-on for members.
What about those "free" streaming sites? Honestly, they are a gamble. You're dealing with pop-up ads for shady casinos, lag that puts you thirty seconds behind the live action, and the constant threat of the stream dying right as Myles Turner goes up for a block. It’s rarely worth the headache when the official apps offer much better stability.
Why the "Tonight" Part Matters
The answer to how can I watch the Pacers game tonight changes based on the opponent. If the Pacers are playing the Lakers, expect a national broadcast. If they are playing the Charlotte Hornets on a Tuesday in November? You are almost certainly going to be hunting for that local FanDuel Sports Network feed.
Check the official Pacers app or the NBA's website about two hours before tip-off. They are surprisingly good at listing the specific "Watch" options. Look for the "Away" and "Home" TV icons. If you see the "NBA" logo next to "TNT" or "ESPN," gear up for a long night of national commercials and national announcers who might call Ben Sheppard "Ben Stevens" once or twice. It happens.
Actionable Steps for Tonight’s Tip-Off
- Check the Schedule: Open the NBA app or Google "Pacers Schedule" to see if the game is on TNT/ESPN or local TV.
- Verify Your Location: If you are using a VPN, turn it off. Most streaming apps like YouTube TV or FanDuel Sports Network will flag your account or block the stream if they detect a proxy.
- Check Your Logins: If you use the FanDuel Sports Network app, log in 15 minutes early. Their authentication servers are notorious for lagging right at 7:00 PM.
- Audio Backup: If you're stuck in the car or the TV options fail, the 93.5/107.5 The Fan radio broadcast in Indy is top-tier. Mark Boyle is a legend for a reason. You can usually stream the radio call through the Pacers app for free, regardless of where you are.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your Smart TV or Roku has the latest version of your streaming apps to avoid the dreaded "Update Required" screen right at tip-off.