Overview
- The Pacers' official injury report Monday listed eight players as out, with Larry Nance Jr. doubtful and Obi Toppin questionable, leaving only seven roster players without designations and three of those on two-way contracts.
- All five projected everyday starters — Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac — are ruled out for the Hawks game for a mix of injury management, rest and specific strains.
- Haliburton, who was rehabbing a repaired Achilles that had shown no structural damage on an October MRI, is now listed out with a left hamstring strain, underlining the team's staged-return and cautious monitoring approach.
- Indiana has lost four straight games and sits 2-5, and the current absences force heavy minutes for fringe players and two-way signees while sharply narrowing rotation options for coach Rick Carlisle.
- The staff’s short-term choice to rest and manage injuries aims to protect players’ long-term availability but could deepen early-season losses and leave fans watching makeshift lineups until key players return.