Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game Preview
Before embarking on their longest road trip of the season, the Pacers (21-15) will wrap up a five-game homestand on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Washington Wizards (6-30).
The Pacers will be without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton on Wednesday, after he slipped during the second quarter of Monday's win over Washington and sustained a left hamstring strain. An MRI on Tuesday morning confirmed the injury and Haliburton is expected to be sidelined for several games, but there is reported relief regarding the severity of the injury.
Indiana showed impressive resilience in the aftermath of Haliburton's injury on Monday, rallying in the second half for a 133-131 win over the East-leading Celtics. Second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin led the charge with 26 points off the bench, including two free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining to secure the victory.
With Haliburton sidelined, both Mathurin and fellow 2022 draft pick Andrew Nembhard figure to be thrust into more prominent roles.
The 21-year-old Mathurin has already been playing his best basketball of the season in recent weeks, scoring 20 or more points in four of his last six contests. Over that span, Mathurin has averaged 20.8 points per game while shooting 59.7 percent from the field and 46.4 percent from 3-point range. He's also gotten to the free throw line with regularity, attempting nearly six foul shots per game.
While Mathurin is primed to take over some of the scoring load in Haliburton's absence, Nembhard figures to slide into the starting point guard role. It's been an injury-riddled second season for Nembhard, who has missed 12 games due to injury, but he returned to the lineup on Monday after missing the past three contests due to a mid-back sprain. The 23-year-old Nembhard has lots of support and trust from the Pacers coaching staff and his teammates to steady the ship for as long as Haliburton is out.
Wednesday's meeting with Washington will be the third and final regular season contest between the Pacers and Wizards. The Blue & Gold defeated Washington at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Opening Night back on Oct. 25, but the Wizards prevailed on Dec. 15 in Washington.
The Wizards have won just twice since that victory over Indiana and enter Wednesday's contest having dropped five straight and eight of their last nine. Washington ranks last in the league in defensive rating, allowing 121.9 points per 100 possessions.
Offensively, the Wizards rely heavily on the duo of Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole. The 6-9 Kuzma leads the team in scoring at 22.6 points per game and ranks second in both rebounding (6.1 per contest) and assists (4.2). The 6-4 Poole, who was acquired last summer in a trade with Golden State, averages 16.5 points and 3.6 assists. Both Kuzma and Poole attempt over six 3-pointers per game.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Andrew Nembhard, G - Bruce Brown, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Jalen Smith, C - Myles Turner
Wizards: G - Tyus Jones, G - Jordan Poole, F - Deni Avdija, F - Kyle Kuzma, C - Daniel Gafford
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton - out (left hamstring strain)
Wizards: Landry Shamet - out (personal reasons)
Last Meeting
Dec. 15, 2023: The Wizards used a 15-0 run in the second quarter to open up a double-digit lead they maintained for the remainder of the night, cruising to a 137-123 win over Indiana in Washington.
Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole combined for 61 points for the Wizards in the victory. Kuzma had a game-high 31 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Poole tallied 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting (3-of-4 from 3-point range), four boards, and eight assists.
Isaiah Jackson led Indiana with a season-high 20 points and 13 rebounds, going 10-for-13 from the field and pulling down six offensive boards. Tyrese Haliburton also had a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists, while Obi Toppin added 16 points and five boards.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have won two straight and four of their last five games against Washington at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and Wizards forward Corey Kispert were teammates on the 2020-21 Gonzaga team that reached the national championship game in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
- Indiana and Washington were involved in a draft night trade this past June. The Pacers traded the rights to seventh overall pick Bilal Coulibaly for the rights to eighth overall pick Jarace Walker and two future second-round selections.
- Pacers center Myles Turner needs six blocks to reach 1,200 for his career. In his ninth season in Indiana, Turner is chasing down Jermaine O'Neal's franchise record of 1,245 blocks.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers conclude their five-game homestand on Wednesday, Jan. 10 when they host Kyle Kuzma and the Washington Wizards at 7:00 PM at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Find Tickets >>