Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV: NBA League Pass (check local listings for regional coverage)
The Pacers head to Brooklyn looking to improve to 2-1 after a split of their first two games (road win at New Orleans, home loss to Dallas). The Nets remain winless at 0-2 following a home loss to Charlotte and a competitive but ultimately unsuccessful road effort at Cleveland (121-125). This early Eastern Conference matchup pits two teams still sorting through rotations and chemistry.
Injury Reports
Indiana Pacers:
Ben Sheppard (G, left meniscus tear) — Out.
Johnny Furphy (G, right ACL repair/surgery) — Out for season.
T.J. McConnell (G, right hamstring strain) — Out.
Aaron Nesmith (G-F, left hamstring strain) — Probable / Available (returned or cleared in recent updates).
Several two-way players have G League designations but are available as needed. Core pieces Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are expected to play.
Brooklyn Nets:
Tyler Bilodeau (F, right shoulder sprain) — Out.
Mikel Brown Jr. (G, rest / minutes restriction management) — Out (coach confirmed he will sit).
Key contributors Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and others are available. Frontcourt and backcourt depth is somewhat tested.
Current Rosters / Projected Lineups Highlights
Pacers (Coach: Rick Carlisle):
Primary rotation centers on Tyrese Haliburton (playmaking and scoring), Pascal Siakam (versatile scoring and rebounding), Andrew Nembhard, Ivica Zubac (or equivalent big), and supporting pieces such as Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith (if fully available), and Jarace Walker. Depth has been tested by early injuries, but the offense remains Haliburton-driven with strong secondary creation.
Nets (Coach: Jordi Fernandez):
Feature Michael Porter Jr. (scoring), Julius Randle (scoring/rebounding/playmaking), Day’Ron Sharpe or equivalent center options, Egor Demin and other young guards/wings, plus bench contributors. The roster leans on veteran scoring punch mixed with developing talent. Recent games showed competitive scoring bursts, especially in the fourth quarter against Cleveland.
Exact starting lineups will be confirmed closer to tip; both teams have used flexible combinations early.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Tyrese Haliburton vs. Nets’ young/perimeter guards (Egor Demin and others): Haliburton’s elite vision, pace control, and scoring ability against a still-developing Brooklyn backcourt.
Pascal Siakam vs. Julius Randle / Michael Porter Jr.: Physical, skilled forward matchups that will dictate efficiency in the half-court and on the glass.
Ivica Zubac (or Pacers bigs) vs. Day’Ron Sharpe and Nets frontcourt: Interior presence, rebounding, and rim protection.
Secondary creators (Nembhard/Toppin vs. Nets wings): Bench and role-player production could swing the margin.
Transition and three-point volume: Both teams have shown willingness to push tempo; defensive discipline in space will be critical.
Haliburton’s ability to create advantages and Siakam’s two-way impact are the biggest individual edges for Indiana.
Recent Team Forms
Pacers: 1-1. Road win over New Orleans followed by a home loss to Dallas (105-121). Offense has shown flashes behind Haliburton and Siakam, but consistency and defensive stops remain works in progress. Away record so far is positive.
Nets: 0-2. Dropped the home opener to Charlotte and fell on the road at Cleveland despite a late push (Porter 28 points, Randle 23 in the Cavs game). Competitive at times but unable to close. Home court has not yet provided a win.
Indiana holds the slight form and talent edge entering this matchup.
Series History
Recent head-to-head has favored the Pacers in several meetings. Over the last 10 games, Indiana holds a 7-3 edge in some tracking, with mixed ATS results and a tendency toward unders in certain samples. Last season and late 2025-26 encounters included decisive Pacers wins as well as closer contests. Historical edge leans toward Indiana, particularly when healthy.
Betting Trends
Nets have struggled to cover or win outright in the opening week. Pacers showed scoring capability but also defensive vulnerability in the Dallas loss. Early-season totals can fluctuate with pace and efficiency.
Game Odds
Indiana Pacers – 7
Brooklyn Nets 231
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, October 24, 2026
