The Indiana Pacers are limping into the final game of their homestand, and that's not just a figure of speech. At 4-17, the Pacers are struggling to find any rhythm, and they’ll have their hands full when they host the 14-6 Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Both squads are coming off losses - Indiana dropped one to Cleveland, while Denver fell to Dallas - but the context around each team couldn’t be more different.
This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Nuggets took the first matchup back on November 8, cruising to a 117-100 win. And while Denver is still very much in the Western Conference mix, injuries are starting to pile up on both sides heading into this one.
Pacers Injury Report: Short-Handed and Searching for Answers
Indiana’s injury list reads like a rotation in itself. Tyrese Haliburton is out with an Achilles issue, and that absence continues to loom large.
Without their All-Star point guard, the Pacers have struggled to generate consistent offense or establish any sort of identity. Also sidelined are Quenton Jackson (hamstring), Kam Jones (back), Aaron Nesmith (knee), and Obi Toppin (foot), all of whom are ruled out.
There is a glimmer of potential help, though. Johnny Furphy has been upgraded to questionable after missing nearly a month with an ankle injury.
The rookie from Australia has only logged three games so far this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per game. It’s unclear how much of a role he’d play if cleared, but with the Pacers this thin, any available body matters.
Nuggets Injury Report: Jokic Carries the Load, But Help is Limited
Denver isn’t at full strength either, but they’ve got Nikola Jokic - and that alone keeps them dangerous. Jokic is listed as probable with a wrist sprain, but he hasn’t missed a game yet this season.
And he’s not just playing - he’s dominating. The reigning Finals MVP is averaging 29 points per game on an absurd 62.1% shooting from the field and 43.8% from three.
Oh, and he’s leading the league in rebounds (12.8) and assists (11.1). The wrist may be bothering him, but it sure hasn’t slowed him down.
Jamal Murray is questionable with an ankle injury. He did suit up against Dallas and logged 26 minutes, so there’s a decent chance he’s back on the floor against Indiana. His presence would be a welcome boost for a Denver team that’s already down several key contributors.
Christian Braun remains out with a left ankle sprain he suffered back on November 12. He’s not expected back until sometime in the new year.
Aaron Gordon is also sidelined with a hamstring strain and will likely be re-evaluated in January. That’s two important rotation pieces missing for the foreseeable future.
Julian Strawther is still out with a back injury and has no clear timetable for return. Meanwhile, Tamar Bates and DaRon Holmes II are both unavailable due to G League assignments.
What It All Means
For Indiana, this game is less about revenge and more about survival. With Haliburton out and the rotation in tatters, the Pacers will need a collective effort just to stay competitive. They’ll have to find ways to generate offense without their floor general and hope their young players can step up against a championship-caliber opponent.
Denver, on the other hand, is navigating its own injury challenges but still has the luxury of leaning on Jokic, who’s playing at an MVP level once again. If Murray suits up and contributes, the Nuggets should have enough firepower to handle business - even on the road and even with a shortened bench.
Bottom line: This one looks like a mismatch on paper, but as we’ve seen time and again in the NBA, anything can happen - especially when depth is tested and stars are managing injuries. Keep an eye on Jokic’s wrist, Murray’s ankle, and whether Furphy makes his return. Those small details could shape how this one plays out.