The Indiana Pacers travel to Oklahoma City for a cross-conference matchup against the Thunder on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Pacers, struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a league-worst record, hope to play spoiler and end a five-game losing streak amid ongoing rebuild challenges. The Thunder, leading the Western Conference and riding a six-game winning streak, aim to extend their dominance at home and maintain their status as title favorites. This is the second meeting of the season, with OKC winning the first 128-112 in Indiana on November 12, 2025.
Venue Location
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Capacity: 18,203
(Opened in 2002 and formerly known as Chesapeake Energy Arena, this venue is the heart of Thunder basketball, renowned for its loud crowd and “Loud City” atmosphere that has propelled OKC to one of the best home records in the league.)
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Oklahoma (Thunder local), FanDuel Sports Network – Indiana (Pacers local)
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM (Oklahoma City), 1070 The Fan (Indiana)
Injury Report
Injuries continue to plague Indiana, while OKC remains relatively healthy, giving them a clear edge.
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG): Out (Left hamstring strain; out indefinitely)
Pascal Siakam (PF): Questionable (Right knee soreness)
Bennedict Mathurin (SG): Game-time decision (Illness)
Isaiah Jackson (PF): Out (Achilles tendon; season-ending)
Without Haliburton, the Pacers will rely on Andrew Nembhard for playmaking. Myles Turner is healthy and expected to start at center.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Chet Holmgren (C): Probable (Left ankle tweak; expected to play)
Isaiah Joe (SG): Out (Right wrist sprain; out 1-2 weeks)
Ousmane Dieng (F): Game-time decision (Illness)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are fully available, bolstering OKC’s lineup. If Holmgren is limited, Kenrich Williams could see more minutes.
Key Player Matchups
OKC’s balanced attack faces Indiana’s depleted roster, with key battles highlighting speed vs. size.
Andrew Nembhard (IND) vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): Nembhard (14.2 PPG, 6.8 APG) steps in for Haliburton but faces SGA (30.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.1 SPG), the MVP frontrunner who’s torched defenses with 52.8% FG efficiency.
Pascal Siakam (IND, if active) vs. Jalen Williams (OKC): Siakam (20.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG) brings versatility, but Williams (21.6 PPG on 50.2% FG, 40.1% 3PT) is a rising star who could exploit Indiana’s 27th-ranked defense.
Myles Turner (IND) vs. Chet Holmgren (OKC): Frontcourt clash. Turner (15.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG) provides shot-blocking, while Holmgren (17.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.2 BPG) stretches the floor with 38.4% 3PT shooting.
Aaron Nesmith (IND) vs. Luguentz Dort (OKC): Nesmith (12.4 PPG) defends the perimeter, but Dort’s elite defense (1.8 SPG) could limit Indiana’s wings.
Other notes: OKC’s bench (42.8 PPG) dominates Indiana’s (35.2 PPG). The Thunder lead the league in defensive efficiency (No. 1), holding opponents to 102.4 PPG.
Team Rankings
| Category | Pacers Rank (League) | Thunder Rank (League) |
| Points Per Game | 106.2 (27th) | 120.8 (2nd) |
| Opponent PPG | 117.4 (27th) | 102.4 (1st) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 42.8 (25th) | 48.4 (4th) |
| Assists Per Game | 23.6 (21st) | 28.4 (5th) |
| Field Goal % | 44.8% (25th) | 49.2% (3rd) |
| 3-Point % | 34.6% (22nd) | 39.2% (2nd) |
Recent Team Forms
OKC is on fire, while Indiana’s form mirrors their season-long woes.
Indiana Pacers (Last 10 Games: 1-9)
The Pacers have lost nine of their last 10, including a 104-119 home loss to Boston (Jan. 21). Their offense has stalled at 105.2 PPG, with defense allowing 118.6 PPG.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. BOS | L | 104-119 | Siakam: 22 PTS, 8 REB |
| Jan. 19 | @ DET | L | 78-121 | Nembhard: 18 PTS, 7 AST |
| Jan. 17 | vs. ATL | L | 106-132 | Turner: 20 PTS, 9 REB |
| Jan. 15 | vs. OKC | L | 111-146 | Siakam: 25 PTS |
| Jan. 12 | vs. BOS | W | 98-96 | Nembhard: 20 PTS |
| Jan. 10 | @ CLE | L | 116-120 | Turner: 18 PTS, 10 REB |
| Jan. 8 | vs. MIL | L | 105-118 | Siakam: 24 PTS |
| Jan. 6 | vs. CLE | L | 116-120 | Nembhard: 19 PTS |
| Jan. 4 | @ CHI | L | 90-121 | Turner: 15 PTS |
| Jan. 2 | vs. TOR | L | 110-115 | Siakam: 21 PTS |
Oklahoma City Thunder (Last 10 Games: 9-1)
The Thunder have won nine of their last 10, including a 118-102 road win over Memphis (Jan. 21). They’ve averaged 122.4 PPG while holding foes to 104.8.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. MEM | W | 118-102 | SGA: 32 PTS, 8 AST |
| Jan. 19 | vs. CLE | W | 136-104 | Holmgren: 24 PTS, 12 REB |
| Jan. 17 | @ UTA | W | 120-108 | Williams: 28 PTS |
| Jan. 15 | @ IND | W | 146-111 | SGA: 35 PTS |
| Jan. 13 | vs. HOU | W | 111-91 | Holmgren: 22 PTS, 4 BLK |
| Jan. 11 | vs. SAC | W | 112-101 | SGA: 30 PTS |
| Jan. 9 | @ POR | W | 117-110 | Williams: 26 PTS |
| Jan. 7 | @ LAC | W | 121-98 | Holmgren: 20 PTS, 11 REB |
| Jan. 5 | vs. DEN | L | 108-113 | SGA: 29 PTS |
| Jan. 3 | vs. MIN | W | 119-105 | Williams: 25 PTS |
Series History
OKC leads the all-time series 40-36 in 76 regular-season games. The Thunder have won 8 of the last 10 meetings, including this season’s blowout. Trends: The over has hit in 7 of the last 10, averaging 236.2 points.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Spread Covered? |
| Nov. 12, 2025 | Indiana | OKC Win | 128-112 | OKC -7.5 |
| Mar. 13, 2025 | Oklahoma City | OKC Win | 126-118 | OKC -9.0 |
| Dec. 8, 2024 | Indiana | OKC Win | 114-94 | OKC -5.5 |
| Apr. 5, 2024 | Indiana | IND Win | 126-112 | IND +6.0 |
| Dec. 13, 2023 | Oklahoma City | OKC Win | 126-120 | OKC -6.0 |
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS): Pacers 16-28-1 (36.4% cover rate); Thunder 30-15 (66.7% cover rate). Indiana is 2-8 ATS in last 10, OKC 8-2 ATS. Over/Under (O/U): Pacers games hit over 19-26 (42.2%); Thunder 24-21 (53.3%). Last 10 Thunder games average 228.6 points. Moneyline (ML): Thunder 35-10 as favorites (77.8% win rate); Pacers 2-25 as underdogs. OKC is 20-3 straight-up at home. Recent Trends: Pacers 1-9 straight-up last 10 road games; 3-7 ATS vs. West. Thunder 9-1 straight-up last 10; the over is 6-4 in OKC’s last 10.
OKC’s elite record (37-8) and home dominance give them an 88% win probability. Indiana’s struggles (10-35) make this a mismatch. The Thunder cover 67% of spreads and win by 15+ in simulations vs. weak teams. Pacers are 2-8 ATS recently; expect a blowout. OKC’s high-powered offense (120.8 PPG) pushes pace; last five meetings averaged 234 points. Indiana’s poor defense allows overs.
Game Odds
Indiana Pacers 226.5
Oklahoma City Thunder – 16.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
