The Indiana Pacers are back in Indy after a five-game road trip, and they’ll look to reset at home when they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. It’s the third meeting of the season between these two Central Division foes, and so far, the Pacers have had the upper hand-winning both prior matchups and five of their last six against Chicago overall.
But momentum is a funny thing in the NBA, and right now, it’s leaning in opposite directions for these two teams. The Pacers have dropped five of their last seven, while the Bulls have flipped the script, winning five of their last seven and clawing their way back to a .500 record at 23-23.
Let’s take a closer look at the injury reports heading into this one, because availability could play a big role in how this game unfolds.
Pacers Injury Report
- Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) - OUT
- Obi Toppin (foot) - OUT
- Jarace Walker (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
- Taelon Peter (two-way) - DOUBTFUL
- Ethan Thompson (two-way) - PROBABLE
The big headline here is that Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined with an Achilles issue. Indiana’s offense runs through him, and his absence continues to loom large. Without their All-Star floor general, the Pacers have had to lean on a committee approach to playmaking-and it’s been a mixed bag.
Obi Toppin is also out with a foot injury, thinning the frontcourt rotation even further. But all eyes are on Jarace Walker, who’s listed as questionable with a right foot bruise.
The rookie has been stepping up in a big way lately, starting the last two games and putting up strong numbers: 19 points, 5.5 boards, 3 assists, and 3.5 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 52.2% from the field and 50% from three. If he’s able to go, he could be a difference-maker once again.
As for the two-way players, Taelon Peter is doubtful and Ethan Thompson is probable. Peter’s only made two appearances since the calendar flipped to 2026, while Thompson has seen limited action-averaging just 7.6 minutes across seven games this year.
Bulls Injury Report
- Zach Collins (toe) - OUT
- Noa Essengue (shoulder) - OUT
- Tre Jones (hamstring) - OUT
- Yuki Kawamura (two-way) - OUT
- Emanuel Miller (two-way) - OUT
Chicago’s dealing with its own share of injuries, most notably Zach Collins, who’s been out since late December with a right toe sprain. He’s played in just 10 games this season, but when healthy, he’s been effective-averaging 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting nearly 58% from the floor and 43% from deep.
Rookie Noa Essengue, the Bulls’ 12th overall pick in 2025, is out for the season following shoulder surgery. He only logged two games before the injury, so his development will have to wait until next year.
Tre Jones is also unavailable due to a hamstring strain suffered on January 22. The 26-year-old guard has been a steady contributor this season, averaging 12.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals over 38 games. His absence leaves a hole in Chicago’s backcourt rotation.
Both two-way players, Yuki Kawamura and Emanuel Miller, are also out. While they haven’t been major rotation pieces, their unavailability further limits Chicago’s depth.
What to Watch
With Haliburton and Toppin out, the Pacers will need strong performances from their young core-especially if Walker is cleared to play. His recent surge has been one of the few bright spots during a rough stretch for Indiana.
For the Bulls, they’ll look to keep riding their recent wave of success despite missing a few key pieces. Their .500 record is a testament to how they've managed to stay afloat through injuries, and they’ll be aiming to steal one on the road against a shorthanded Pacers squad.
Tip-off is set for Wednesday night, and while both teams are dealing with their share of setbacks, this one still has the makings of a gritty, tightly contested divisional battle.