The San Antonio Spurs (24-9) head to Indianapolis to face the struggling Indiana Pacers (6-28) in a cross-conference matchup that pits one of the Western Conference’s top teams against the Eastern Conference’s cellar dweller.
With the Spurs riding high after a dramatic 134-132 win over the New York Knicks in their last outing, and the Pacers mired in a deep slump, this game could highlight San Antonio’s depth despite key absences.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This 20,000-seat arena has been the Pacers’ home since 1999 and is known for its intimate atmosphere and strong fan support, though attendance has dipped amid the team’s poor performance this season.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally, with local radio and streaming options available via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences that could shape the game’s dynamics.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama is out with a hyperextended left knee sustained in a recent game; an MRI confirmed no ligament damage, but he’ll miss this matchup as a precaution. Devin Vassell is also sidelined, leaving the Spurs without two key starters. The team has not yet submitted a full report, but no other major injuries are noted.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton remains out with an undisclosed injury, severely hampering the team’s playmaking and scoring. No other players are listed on the latest report, but the Pacers’ depth has been tested all season.
These injuries could force adjustments: San Antonio may lean on Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie in the frontcourt, while Indiana will rely on backups like T.J. McConnell for ball-handling duties.
Player Matchups
Without Wembanyama and Vassell, the Spurs’ matchups shift toward their veteran core and emerging talents. Key battles to watch:
Chris Paul (SAS) vs. T.J. McConnell (IND): With Haliburton out, McConnell steps up as Indiana’s primary guard. Paul’s experience and playmaking (averaging 8+ assists per game) could exploit McConnell’s defensive limitations, potentially controlling the tempo.
Jeremy Sochan (SAS) vs. Pascal Siakam (IND): Sochan’s versatility on defense will be tested against Siakam’s scoring prowess (20+ PPG). This forward matchup could determine rebounding dominance, as both players average over 7 boards.
Harrison Barnes (SAS) vs. Bennedict Mathurin (IND): Barnes’ steady mid-range game faces Mathurin’s athleticism and three-point shooting. If Barnes can draw fouls, it might open driving lanes for San Antonio.
Zach Collins (SAS) vs. Myles Turner (IND): Stepping in for Wembanyama, Collins’ post presence will clash with Turner’s rim protection (top-10 in blocks). This center duel could influence paint scoring, where the Spurs hold an edge in efficiency.
Overall, San Antonio’s depth gives them advantages in most positions, but Indiana’s home crowd could energize underperformers like Aaron Nesmith.
Recent Team Forms
The Spurs have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams, winning 8 of their last 10 games with an average margin of +8.5 points. Highlights include a 132-119 road win over the Lakers on December 10 and a thrilling 134-132 victory against the Knicks on December 31. Their offense has clicked, averaging 118 PPG in that stretch, fueled by efficient three-point shooting (38%). Defensively, they’ve forced turnovers at a high rate, leading to transition buckets.
In contrast, the Pacers have lost 9 of their last 10, including blowouts like a 126-119 defeat to the Rockets on December 29 and a 112-110 home loss to the Magic on December 31. Their offense has stagnated without Haliburton, averaging just 108 PPG recently, while allowing 120+ points in most losses. Rebounding and turnovers remain weak points, with the team ranking near the bottom in both categories.
| Team | Last 10 Games | Win Streak | PPG Scored | PPG Allowed | Key Trend |
| Spurs | 8-2 | W4 (home) | 118.2 | 109.8 | 4 straight home wins by 10+ points sportstats365.com |
| Pacers | 1-9 | L5 | 108.4 | 120.1 | 0-5 in last 5 overall actionnetwork.com |
Series History
The Spurs hold a commanding all-time edge over the Pacers, leading 59-45 in 104 regular-season meetings since 1976.
In the last 20 games, the series is split 10-10, showing increased competitiveness.
Recent matchups have been high-scoring: Indiana won 152-111 on November 6, 2023, but San Antonio responded with a 117-105 victory on March 3, 2024.
The Spurs are 7-3 in their last 10 visits to Indianapolis, often covering the spread as underdogs.
This season’s rematch is set for March 21 in San Antonio.
Betting Trends
Spurs Trends: San Antonio is 18-15 ATS overall and 10-6 ATS on the road. They’ve covered in 7 of their last 10 games and hit the over in 6 of 10. As favorites, they’re 15-4 straight up but 9-10 ATS.
Pacers Trends: Indiana is 12-22 ATS and 7-9 ATS at home. They’ve failed to cover in 3 of their last 5 and gone 0-5 straight up recently. The under has hit in 19 of 33 games (57.6%), reflecting their defensive woes but low-scoring outputs.
Series Trends: In the last 10 meetings, the over has hit 7 times, averaging 235 total points. The road team is 6-4 ATS.
Game Odds
San Antonio Spurs – 6.5
Indiana Pacers 238.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 1, 2026
