The Washington Wizards (3-20) travel to face the Indiana Pacers (6-19) in a matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s most struggling squads. Both teams are in rebuild mode, hampered by injuries and inconsistent play, but the Pacers hold a slight edge at home. This afternoon tilt could turn into a defensive slog, with key absences forcing reliance on bench production and role players. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The arena, a state-of-the-art venue opened in 2020 with a capacity of 17,274, has been a tough spot for visiting teams this season, where Indiana boasts a 5-8 home record.
Broadcast options include Monumental Sports Network (for Wizards fans) and FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, with streaming available on NBA League Pass.
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Eastern Conference Rank | ATS Record |
| Washington Wizards | 3-20 | 2-9 Home / 1-11 Away | 15th | 7-16 |
| Indiana Pacers | 6-19 | 5-8 Home / 1-11 Away | 14th | 13-12 |
The Wizards own the league’s worst record, sitting dead last in the East and winners of just three games all season. Indiana edges them slightly but remains firmly in the lottery conversation, with their six wins coming in spurts against sub-.500 foes.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams enter on cold streaks, but the Pacers have shown flickers of competence in December. Washington’s defense has cratered lately, allowing 130+ points in three of their last four losses.
Washington Wizards Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Wizards) |
| Dec. 12 | vs. CLE | L 126-130 | 48.8% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | vs. ATL | L 116-131 | 51.3% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 4 TOs |
| Dec. 4 | vs. BOS | L 101-146 | 41.7% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 2 | @ PHI | L 102-121 | 39.8% FG, 25.0% 3PT, 16 TOs |
| Nov. 30 | @ NYK | L 108-124 | 45.2% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 14 TOs |
Form Summary: 0-5. On a four-game skid, averaging 108.6 PPG while surrendering 130.4 PPG. Turnovers (13.6 per game) and poor 3PT defense (38.6% allowed) are glaring issues.
Indiana Pacers Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Pacers) |
| Dec. 12 | @ PHI | L 105-115 | 39.6% FG, 34.2% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 8 | vs. SAC | W 116-105 | 43.7% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 10 TOs |
| Dec. 5 | @ CHI | W 120-105 | 53.6% FG, 46.2% 3PT, 6 TOs |
| Dec. 3 | vs. DEN | L 120-135 | 51.9% FG, 46.4% 3PT, 8 TOs |
| Dec. 1 | vs. CLE | L 119-135 | 48.2% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 14 TOs |
Form Summary: 2-3. Wins over weaker opponents highlight transition scoring (14.4 fast-break PPG), but losses to contenders expose rebounding woes (41.2 RPG allowed).
Injury Report
Injuries are decimating both rosters, thinning frontcourts and backcourts alike. Washington’s list is particularly brutal, missing their top scorer and rookie standout. Indiana’s backcourt is in flux without Haliburton, forcing Siakam into a primary creator role.
Washington Wizards Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Khris Middleton | Out | Right Knee Contusion |
| Alex Sarr | Out | Right Adductor Strain |
| Bilal Coulibaly | Out | Right Oblique Strain |
| Corey Kispert | Out | Right Thumb Distal Phalanx Fracture |
| Malaki Branham | Out | Right Thumb Sprain |
| AJ Johnson | Out | G League Assignment |
| Sharife Cooper | Out | G League Two-Way |
Indiana Pacers Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Out | Right Achilles Tendon Tear (Season) |
| Aaron Nesmith | Out | Left Knee MCL Sprain |
| Obi Toppin | Out | Right Foot Stress Fracture |
| Ben Sheppard | Out | Left Calf Strain |
| Andrew Nembhard | Questionable | Left Calf Soreness |
| Tony Bradley | Questionable | Left Quad Strain |
| Kam Jones | Doubtful | G League Assignment |
With Sarr (19.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) sidelined, Washington’s interior defense crumbles. Haliburton’s absence (out for the year) leaves Indiana without 20+ PPG from the point, amplifying Nembhard’s load if he suits up.
Key Player Matchups
This game hinges on Indiana’s surviving stars exploiting Washington’s depleted wings and bigs. Look for over-reliance on iso-ball and transition.
Pascal Siakam (IND, 24.5 PPG) vs. Marvin Bagley III/Tristan Vukcevic (WAS): Siakam, averaging 24.5 PPG on 55% shooting lately, feasts in the post against Washington’s makeshift frontcourt. Bagley (8.2 PPG) lacks the mobility to contain Siakam’s drives, while Vukcevic (rookie, limited minutes) could get targeted early. Edge: Siakam—expect 25+ points and 10 rebounds.
Andrew Nembhard (IND, 17.9 PPG, 6.6 APG; Q) vs. Bub Carrington (WAS, 12.4 PPG): If Nembhard plays through calf soreness, his playmaking (7+ APG in 4/5 recent games) overwhelms Carrington’s on-ball defense. Carrington’s scored 13+ in 3/4 prior meetings with Indiana but struggles guarding quicker guards. Edge: Nembhard—key to Pacers’ half-court sets.
Bennedict Mathurin (IND, 18.2 PPG) vs. Kyshawn George (WAS, 14.5 PPG): Mathurin’s hot hand from deep (3+ threes in 5/8 games) tests George’s length. George (34 PPG high this season) can score in bursts but fouls out often against wings like Mathurin. Edge: Mathurin—prop bet over 2.5 threes looks juicy.
CJ McCollum (WAS, 22.1 PPG) vs. Ethan Thompson (IND): McCollum’s mid-range game could exploit Thompson’s inexperience, but Indiana’s length (without Nesmith) might force tough shots. Edge: Slight to McCollum if he gets clean looks.
Bonus Watch: Jay Huff (IND center) steps up with Bradley questionable, potentially dominating rebounds against Washington’s thin bigs.
Series History
The Pacers hold a commanding all-time edge, winning 112 of 199 regular-season meetings (56.3%). Indiana’s dominated lately, covering in 4/5 recent games with blowouts common.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Meetings:
| Date | Result | Key Notes |
| Nov. 28, 2025 | IND 119-86 WAS | Pacers shot 52.2% FG |
| Apr. 8, 2025 | IND 104-98 WAS | Close win; Wizards covered |
| Mar. 27, 2025 | IND 162-109 WAS | Pacers’ 80.7% eFG explosion |
| Feb. 12, 2025 | WAS 134-130 IND | Wizards’ lone recent win |
| Nov. 24, 2024 | IND 115-103 WAS | Haliburton (pre-injury) 28 PTS |
Trend: Pacers 4-1 SU, averaging 125.8 PPG. Seven of last eight in Indiana have gone Under the total.
Betting Trends
Spread: Indiana is 6-3 ATS as 8.5+ favorites this season; Washington is 7-11 ATS as 8.5+ underdogs.
Totals: Pacers games hit Over in just 39% (9/23); Wizards in 65% (15/23), but injuries suggest a dip.
Game Odds
Washington Wizards 233.5
Indiana Pacers – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 13, 2025
