Life comes at you fast in the NBA. Just a few months ago, the Indiana Pacers were riding the high of an NBA Finals appearance, a whirlwind run that felt like the start of a dynasty in the making. Then, the floor fell out. Literally. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear changed everything. Now, in January 2026, looking at the Indiana Pacers depth chart feels like reading a completely different book than the one we started last year.
Honestly, it's a bit of a mess, but a fascinating one. The team is sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, yet there’s a weird sense of purpose in how Rick Carlisle is shuffling the deck. With Myles Turner gone in free agency and the franchise cornerstone sidelined until at least next season, the Pacers have transformed into an experimental laboratory.
The Guard Rotation: Survival Without Tyrese
The biggest hole in the Indiana Pacers depth chart is, obviously, at the point. You don't just "replace" an All-NBA playmaker who averages double-digit assists.
Andrew Nembhard has been thrust into the lead role. He’s tough. He’s smart. But he’s also been battling a nagging back issue that has kept him "questionable" more often than Pacers fans would like. When Nembhard sits, the keys go to T.J. McConnell. T.J. is basically a human espresso shot. He’s 33 now, but he still plays like he’s trying to earn a 10-day contract.
Behind them, it gets experimental. We're seeing a lot of Quenton Jackson and even rookie Kam Jones getting reps. Quenton has that "will-dunk-on-anyone" energy, which is fun for a team that needs a spark.
- PG1: Andrew Nembhard (The steady hand)
- PG2: T.J. McConnell (The energy guy)
- Deep Bench: Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones
Then there’s Bennedict Mathurin. Coach Carlisle basically handed him the starting shooting guard spot on a silver platter before the season started, saying it was "his job to lose." Mathurin has been the primary scoring engine, but he’s currently out with a thumb injury. This has opened the door for Johnny Furphy, the second-year Australian wing who looks like a legit 3&D piece. Furphy just dropped a near double-double against Cleveland—nine points and 11 boards in 30 minutes. He’s lean, but he’s tall (6'9") and moves like a gazelle.
The Forward Spot: Pascal Siakam’s Island
Pascal Siakam is the highest-paid guy on the court, and he’s playing like it. He’s been forced into a "do everything" role. Without Haliburton's gravity, Siakam is seeing double teams almost every night. He’s still an All-Star, but he’s working twice as hard for every bucket.
The Indiana Pacers depth chart at forward is actually where the team has the most talent. Aaron Nesmith is back from a knee injury, providing that "hit you in the mouth" defense the Pacers desperately lack elsewhere. Jarace Walker is the real wildcard here. Fans have been screaming for more Jarace minutes for two years. With Obi Toppin out for surgery on a foot stress fracture, Walker is finally getting his run. He’s a defensive Swiss Army knife, but his offensive rhythm is still "kinda" hit or miss.
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- Power Forward: Pascal Siakam
- Small Forward: Aaron Nesmith
- Primary Backups: Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy
- Injury Ward: Obi Toppin (Out indefinitely)
The Center Conundrum: Life After Myles Turner
Replacing Myles Turner was never going to be easy. He was the soul of the defense. The Pacers have gone with a "center by committee" approach this year, and it’s... well, it's a work in progress.
Jay Huff has been the surprise of the season. Yes, that Jay Huff. The 7'1" spacer has been starting and actually hitting threes at a respectable clip. He’s not the rim protector Turner was, but he keeps the floor open for Siakam to work. Isaiah Jackson was supposed to be the guy, but he’s coming off his own Achilles injury and is currently in concussion protocol.
The rest of the big man rotation is a rotation of Micah Potter, Tony Bradley, and James Wiseman. It’s basically a game of "who’s healthy today?" Right now, Huff is the undisputed King of the Hill in the middle.
What This Means for the Rest of 2026
The Indiana Pacers depth chart is currently a collection of "what ifs" and "not yets." They are 15th in the East, and honestly, that might be the plan. With a loaded 2026 draft coming up, stacking assets and letting young guys like Furphy and Walker fail forward isn't the worst strategy.
Here is the reality of the situation:
This team cannot defend a parked car right now. They are near the bottom of the league in defensive rating. Without Turner's shot-blocking or Haliburton's ability to outscore the opponent's mistakes, every game is a grind. But you can see the vision. A future core of Haliburton, Mathurin, Nesmith, Walker, and a high 2026 pick is a scary thought for the rest of the league.
Actionable Insights for Pacers Fans:
- Watch the Jarace Walker/Johnny Furphy minutes: These are the most important developmental minutes of the season. Their growth determines if the Pacers need to trade for a wing or if they already have the answer.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: With Siakam being a veteran on a rebuilding timeline, don't be shocked if contenders start calling. However, the Pacers seem committed to pairing him with a healthy Haliburton next year.
- Check the Injury Report Daily: This roster is paper-thin. One more injury to a guy like Nembhard or Siakam and they might start calling people from the local YMCA.
The current Indiana Pacers depth chart is a bridge to the future. It’s not always pretty, and the losses are piling up, but the experience these young guys are getting is priceless. By the time Tyrese Haliburton returns for the 2026-27 season, he might be coming back to a much more seasoned supporting cast than the one he left.