Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: WTTV / DAZN-IND (Indiana), KFAA / MavsTV (Dallas), NBA League Pass
The Pacers open their home schedule against a shorthanded Mavericks squad in a non-conference matchup. Indiana looks to build on a dramatic road win, while Dallas aims to rebound from a blowout loss with stars Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg leading the way.
Injury Reports
Dallas Mavericks
F Santi Aldama: Out (right knee surgery)
F Tarik Biberovic: Out (right heel bursitis)
F Caleb Martin: Out (right thumb sprain)
C Dereck Lively II: Out (right foot surgery)
G Jett Howard: Doubtful / Day-to-Day (right calf tightness/soreness)
Indiana Pacers
G T.J. McConnell: Out (right hamstring strain)
G Johnny Furphy: Out for season (right ACL repair/surgery)
G/F Aaron Nesmith: Questionable (left hamstring strain)
G Ben Sheppard: Questionable (left knee soreness)
Dallas is significantly depleted in the frontcourt and depth, while Indiana is missing some secondary pieces but has its core available (with Nesmith and Sheppard status to monitor).
Current Rosters & Projected Line Combinations
Dallas Mavericks
Projected starters: Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford. Depth is limited by the absences, with role players filling in around the Irving-Flagg duo.
Indiana Pacers
Projected starters: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Kelly Oubre Jr., Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac. The group features strong playmaking and interior presence, with Haliburton back in the fold.
Lineups may adjust based on late injury updates, particularly for Nesmith and Sheppard.
Recent Team Forms
Mavericks: Opened with a 128-110 road loss at Houston. Cooper Flagg led the scoring charge (reportedly high-30s range in some accounts of early production), while Kyrie Irving contributed in his return from prior injury. Defensive issues and the impact of multiple absences were evident.
Pacers: Earned a thrilling 123-120 road win at New Orleans. Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, and Tyrese Haliburton posted a strong double-double in his return from Achilles recovery, signaling a promising start.
Indiana carries home-opener energy and better overall health into the matchup.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026-27 season. These teams have a competitive recent history; Dallas swept or held edges in some prior seasons, but roster turnover (including Flagg’s emergence and Haliburton’s availability) resets the dynamic. Non-conference games often emphasize style matchups over familiarity.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Cooper Flagg / P.J. Washington vs. Pascal Siakam / Ivica Zubac: Forward and interior battles. Flagg’s scoring and versatility against Siakam’s two-way impact and Zubac’s rebounding/rim protection.
Kyrie Irving vs. Tyrese Haliburton / Andrew Nembhard: Elite playmaking and scoring in the backcourt. Irving’s isolation and creation versus Haliburton’s pace and vision.
Daniel Gafford vs. Ivica Zubac: Center matchup focused on paint scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence amid Dallas’s frontcourt shortages.
Overall pace and transition: Indiana’s up-tempo style with Haliburton could exploit Dallas’s depth issues; three-point shooting and free-throw opportunities will be key.
Turnovers, rebounding, and bench contributions will heavily influence the outcome given the injury disparity.
Betting Trends
Trends favor home teams in openers and sides with clearer health advantages. Public money often backs favorites in such spots; the high total aligns with both teams’ early offensive showings and Indiana’s pace.
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 240.5
Indiana Pacers – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 22, 2026
