The Sacramento Kings (6-17) limp into Indiana on a brutal six-game losing skid, having dropped 11 of their last 13 amid defensive woes (118.2 points allowed per game, 27th in NBA) and a bench that’s produced just 28.4 PPG (worst in the West). The Pacers (5-18), mired in the East’s basement with a league-worst -12.3 net rating, host this matchup desperate for a spark after snapping a four-game slide with a 112-105 upset over Milwaukee on Friday, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s 28-point, 12-assist double-double. At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, expect a battle of bottom-feeders: Sacramento’s fading fast-break attack (12.1 fast-break PPG, 22nd) vs. Indiana’s injury-plagued perimeter (shooting 34.1% from three, 28th). The Kings aim to halt their slide and climb from 13th in the West, while the Pacers chase their first three-game win streak since October in a series where Sacramento has won four of the last five.
Game Details
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana (capacity: 17,274)
Broadcast: NBA TV, NBCS-CA (Kings), FDSIN (Pacers), NBA League Pass
This midweek opener kicks off a light Monday slate, with Indiana riding homecourt (3-8 at Gainbridge) and Sacramento wrapping a three-game road trip (1-6 away). The Pacers’ crowd has seen just 102.5 PPG scored at home, hinting at a grind-it-out affair.
Injury Report
Injuries have ravaged both rosters, with Indiana missing its entire starting backcourt and Sacramento’s frontcourt depth exposed. The Pacers lead the league with 145 man-games lost, crippling their pace (97.2 possessions, 25th).
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Estimated Return | Notes |
| Sacramento Kings | DeMar DeRozan | SG | Day-to-Day (Probable) | Ankle | December 8 | 18.4 PPG leader; twisted vs. GSW Friday—full practice Sunday, likely limited minutes. |
| Sacramento Kings | Kevin Huerter | SG | Out | Shoulder (Surgery) | January 15, 2026 | 12.1 PPG off bench; 8-10 weeks out since November. |
| Sacramento Kings | Jake LaRavia | SF | Injured Reserve | Knee | December 15 | Rookie depth; 4.2 PPG in 12 GP. |
| Sacramento Kings | Malik Monk | PG | Day-to-Day | Hamstring | December 10 | Sixth-man spark (14.3 PPG); missed last two—monitored. |
| Indiana Pacers | Tyrese Haliburton | PG | Out | Hamstring | December 20 | Star guard (18.2 PPG, 8.9 APG); strained vs. MIL—2-3 weeks. |
| Indiana Pacers | Pascal Siakam | PF | Out | Adductor | December 12 | 21.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG; day-to-day but sidelined for back-to-back avoidance. |
| Indiana Pacers | Aaron Nesmith | SF | Injured Reserve | Ankle | January 5, 2026 | 12.2 PPG, 3&D wing; rolled ankle early December. |
| Indiana Pacers | James Wiseman | C | Out | Achilles (Rehab) | February 2026 | Backup big; limited to 6 GP this season. |
Impact: Haliburton’s absence drops Indiana to 98.4 offensive rating without him; Siakam’s void forces Obi Toppin into 30+ minutes. Kings without Monk/Huerter lean on DeRozan, but fatigue looms on road legs.
Key Player Matchups
Without Haliburton/Siakam, this devolves into bench battles and isolation sets. Sacramento’s size vs. Indiana’s motion offense—watch the paint (Kings 48.2 RPG, Pacers 42.1 allowed).
De’Aaron Fox (SAC, PG) vs. Andrew Nembhard (IND, PG): Fox (22.1 PPG, 6.4 APG) torched Indiana for 32 last matchup; Nembhard steps up as starter (11.8 PPG) but -4.2 net rating sans Haliburton. Fox’s speed overwhelms. Edge: Fox.
Domantas Sabonis (SAC, C) vs. Myles Turner (IND, C): Sabonis (18.7 PPG, 12.4 RPG, triple-double threat) dominates boards (+6.2 rebound margin); Turner (15.3 PPG, 2.1 BPG) protects rim but undersized matchup. Edge: Sabonis—rebounding edge.
Keegan Murray (SAC, SF) vs. Bennedict Mathurin (IND, SG): Murray (14.2 PPG, 38% 3PT) stretches floor; Mathurin (13.9 PPG off bench) attacks closeouts but turnover-prone (2.1 TOPG). Edge: Murray—shooting consistency.
Bench Duel: Davion Mitchell (SAC) vs. T.J. McConnell (IND): Mitchell’s defense (1.2 SPG) vs. McConnell’s hustle (8.4 APG); Pacers bench outscores foes by 4.2, Kings by -2.1. Edge: McConnell—playmaking.
Projected Lineups (Subject to change):
Kings: Fox-DeRozan (if full)-Murray-Sabonis-Lyles | Monk (if active)-Huerter (out)-Len-Mitchell-Keita
Pacers: Nembhard-Mathurin-Toppin-Turner-McConnell | Sheppard-Walker IV-Hampton-Jones-Sheppard
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Record | Points Diff. | Off. Rtg | Def. Rtg | Home/Away | Division Rank |
| Sacramento Kings | 6-17 | -8.4 | 109.2 (24th) | 118.2 (27th) | 3-9 Home / 3-8 Away | 13th West |
| Indiana Pacers | 5-18 | -12.3 | 108.7 (26th) | 121.0 (30th) | 3-8 Home / 2-10 Away | 15th East |
Kings rank 22nd in fast-break PPG (12.1), Pacers 28th in 3PT% (34.1); both bottom-5 in net rating.
Recent Team Forms
Sacramento’s skid includes three straight 10+ point losses, while Indiana’s Friday win masked ongoing defensive collapse (121.0 Def. Rtg).
Kings Last 5 Games (0-5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | vs. GSW | L 105-118 | Fox 28P; 18 TO, 12/35 3PT. |
| Dec. 4 | @ LAL | L 112-120 | Sabonis 16R; outrebounded 52-41. |
| Dec. 2 | @ PHX | L 98-115 | DeRozan 22P; 1/15 3PT team. |
| Nov. 30 | vs. MIN | L 110-122 | Bench 22P; defensive lapses. |
| Nov. 28 | @ DEN | L 103-119 | Fox 20P-7A; 14 TO. |
Pacers Last 5 Games (1-4):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 5 | vs. MIL | W 112-105 | Haliburton 28P-12A; 14/32 3PT. |
| Dec. 3 | @ ATL | L 108-120 | Siakam 24P; 120 PA, 15 TO. |
| Dec. 1 | vs. CHI | L 95-110 | Turner 18P-3B; cold 8/28 3PT. |
| Nov. 29 | @ CLE | L 102-115 | Mathurin 16P; outshot 40-28 FTA. |
| Nov. 27 | vs. DET | L 99-108 | Bench 35P; late collapse. |
Kings 1-9 L10 (-10.2 net); Pacers 2-8 L10 (-9.8 net).
Series History
These teams have met 88 times (regular season), with the Kings holding a 48-40 edge (54.5% win rate). Sacramento has won four of the last five, including 132-112 on Nov. 20, 2025, behind Fox’s 35 points. All-time in Indiana, it’s split 22-22, but Kings are 3-2 in last five road tilts. Average margin: 8.7 points; total points avg. 225.4. No playoff history.
Betting Trends
Spread: Kings -3.5 (-110); Pacers +3.5 (-110) – SAC covers 40% as road faves.
Total (O/U): 228.5 (Over -110; Under -110) – Over 8-2 in Kings’ last 10 road; Pacers 7-3 Over L10 home.
Trends: Kings 4-1 SU last 5 H2H; Pacers 1-9 SU last 10 overall. IND 3-7 ATS as home dogs.
Game Odds
Sacramento Kings 234.5
Indiana Pacers – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, December 7, 2025
