The Indiana Pacers open the 2025-26 season against the OKC Thunder in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals. However, they will be thin at point guard — more than Tyrese Haliburton's absence — and the Thunder list several key players on their injury report.
The Indiana Pacers open a new season in a similar fashion to how they ended last season in June: on national television against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While the Thunder already tipped off their new season with banner night in Oklahoma City, along with a double-overtime win over the Rockets, the Pacers will do so Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Their depth at center is a concern given the offseason loss of Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks, but they are also thin at point guard.
Tyrese Haliburton has already been ruled out for the season as he continues to rehab a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7, which remains a great what-if in Pacers/NBA history.
Backup point guard T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain) is out at least one month. More than that, rookie Kam Jones is managing an offseason lower back stress reaction and two-way guard Quenton Jackson has a right hamstring strain, but he is getting closer. So it seems.
Carlisle said Jackson was able to do some work at practice, but then he dropped his “hopefully it’s days, not weeks” response.
Jarace Walker and Johnny Furphy each were dealing with preseason injuries, but neither are listed on the injury report.
“They’re doing better,” Carlisle said. “I expect them to be available.”
What About OKC?
As for the Thunder, guard Alex Caruso sustained a concussion in their season-opening win so he’s entered the concussion protocol.
Starters Lu Dort and Cason Wallace are both questionable, and Isaiah Joe, Jalen Williams, and Kenrich Williams have already been ruled out.
Sportsbooks have the Pacers’ win total at 37.5. What do you think?
It also begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Mike Breen, Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, and Katie George will be on the ESPN telecast. The game will also air locally on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana.
Scott Agness is the longest-tenured Pacers beat reporter. He enters his 14th season covering the team and he's been around The Fieldhouse since 2003. He runs Fieldhouse Files — covering the Pacers, Boom, and Fever — and hosts "The Fieldhouse Files Podcast."