Honestly, if you took a quick glance at the pacers starting lineup tonight, you’d be forgiven for thinking you accidentally tuned into a G-League broadcast from Fort Wayne. It's been a rough ride in Indy lately. After that magical run to the NBA Finals just seven months ago, the wheels haven't just come off—they've basically been sold for parts.
Everything changed the moment Tyrese Haliburton clutched his heel in the Finals. A torn Achilles is a death sentence for a season, and the 2025-26 campaign has been a long, slow exercise in "what if."
Rick Carlisle is out here playing chess with about three pawns and a broken bishop. The injury report is longer than a CVS receipt. We’re talking about a roster that has swung from "championship contender" to "fighting for a top-five pick" in the blink of an eye.
The Expected Pacers Starting Lineup Tonight
With the Pacers coming off a brutal back-to-back and a loss to Detroit just last night, the lineup is a fluid, chaotic mess. But based on the latest availability, here is how things are shaping up for the tip-off.
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- Point Guard: Andrew Nembhard
- Shooting Guard: Aaron Nesmith
- Small Forward: Pascal Siakam
- Power Forward: Jarace Walker
- Center: Jay Huff
Let’s talk about Jay Huff for a second. The man is essentially the only reason Pacers fans are still clicking on box scores. He’s coming off a career-high 29-point masterpiece against New Orleans. Seeing a 7-footer with that kind of touch is sort of the only silver lining in a season that's seen the Pacers slide to a 10-32 record.
Why the Rotation is Shrinking
The pacers starting lineup tonight is missing its soul. Tyrese Haliburton is obviously out for the year. That's the big one. But it’s not just him. Bennedict Mathurin is sidelined with a nasty right thumb sprain. Obi Toppin has a stress fracture in his foot. Even Isaiah Jackson, who just cleared concussion protocol, is being eased back into minutes.
It's lean. Really lean.
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Andrew Nembhard has been asked to be the primary creator, which is a lot of pressure. He’s actually been solid, averaging over 18 points and nearly 9 assists this month, but he’s playing heavy minutes. You can see the fatigue in the fourth quarter. It's a lot of "hero ball" because there just isn't anyone else to kick it to.
The Siakam Factor
Pascal Siakam is basically the lone vet holding the fort. He’s been an All-Star level talent in a vacuum, but the fit is weird when he's surrounded by guys on 10-day contracts. Speaking of which, Tony Bradley just finished his first 10-day. Carlisle says they’ll likely bring him back, but tonight, the frontcourt is basically Jay Huff and a prayer.
What to Watch for in the Rotation
Watch the bench. Or what's left of it.
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You’re going to see a lot of Ben Sheppard and maybe some heavy minutes for Quenton Jackson if the game gets out of hand. The Pacers are currently 28th in the league in scoring. That is a wild stat for a team that was a track meet just a year ago.
The defense hasn't been much better. Without the offensive pressure of Haliburton, teams are just walking into the paint. The Pacers are giving up nearly 120 points per game.
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're betting or playing DFS, keep an eye on Jay Huff's usage. With the frontcourt thinned out, he’s getting all the looks he can handle. Also, don't expect a fast-paced game. Carlisle has slowed things down significantly to try and keep his remaining starters from collapsing of exhaustion.
- Check the 6:30 PM ET update: The official pacers starting lineup tonight usually drops 30 minutes before tip.
- Monitor Siakam's minutes: If this game gets ugly early, Carlisle will pull him. There's no point in grinding his knees into dust in a lost season.
- Watch the G-League call-ups: Guys are playing for their careers right now. Sometimes that desperation leads to a random 20-point night from someone you've never heard of.
The reality is that Indiana is in "evaluation mode." They aren't trying to win a title tonight; they're trying to see who deserves to be on the roster when Haliburton returns in 2027. It's a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that tasted the Finals, but it's the hand they were dealt.
Keep an eye on the official NBA injury report for any last-minute "rest" designations, as Carlisle has been known to pull vets late in the day to prevent further injuries.