With the NFL’s biggest stage set for Sunday night, the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors are getting their own spotlight earlier in the day. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.
ET, marking the final meeting of the season between these two teams. So far, it's been all Raptors in the head-to-head, taking the first three matchups, and they’ll look to complete the sweep against a Pacers squad that's still trying to find its footing.
Let’s start with Indiana. The Pacers come into this one sitting at 13-39, and they’re riding a three-game skid after falling to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, 105-99.
Injuries continue to be a major storyline for this group, and Sunday’s game won’t be any different. The team’s latest injury report is loaded, and it paints a clear picture of a roster still in flux.
Pacers Injury Report (as of Feb. 8):
- Kobe Brown - OUT (not with team)
- Tyrese Haliburton - OUT (Achilles)
- Quenton Jackson - QUESTIONABLE (two-way)
- Aaron Nesmith - QUESTIONABLE (elbow)
- Taelon Peter - DOUBTFUL (two-way)
- Micah Potter - QUESTIONABLE (hip)
- Ethan Thompson - DOUBTFUL (two-way)
- Obi Toppin - OUT (foot)
- Ivica Zubac - OUT (not with team)
The Pacers made some moves ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Kobe Brown and Ivica Zubac from the Clippers. But neither will make their debut on Sunday.
Zubac, in particular, is still dealing with an ankle issue that dates back to December. Head coach Rick Carlisle made it clear: they’re not rushing him back.
“It’s kind of yo-yo’d a little bit,” Carlisle said Friday. “My understanding from talking to him is that there’s still something there that’s not quite right. We’re not going to put him out there until he’s really ready.”
That cautious approach makes sense, especially for a team building for the long haul. With Haliburton still sidelined and several rotation pieces either out or questionable, Indiana will once again lean on its younger core and two-way players to carry the load.
Aaron Nesmith’s status will be worth watching. He’s questionable with a left elbow sprain, and his presence would give Indiana a much-needed boost on both ends.
Micah Potter is also questionable after missing two of the last four games with a hip contusion. Meanwhile, Quenton Jackson, Taelon Peter, and Ethan Thompson - all on two-way contracts - are either questionable or doubtful, leaving Indiana’s depth even thinner.
On the other side, Toronto enters with a 31-22 record and is coming off a strong 123-107 win over the Chicago Bulls. While they’ve dropped three of their last five, the Raptors are still very much in the mix in the East, and they’ve had Indiana’s number all season.
Raptors Injury Report (as of Feb. 8):
- Chucky Hepburn - OUT (two-way)
- Chris Paul - OUT (not with team)
- Jakob Poeltl - QUESTIONABLE (return to competition conditioning)
- Immanuel Quickley - QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
Toronto also made a splash at the deadline, acquiring veteran guard Chris Paul from the Clippers. But he’s not expected to report to the team and will likely be waived, per GM Bobby Webster.
The bigger on-court storyline is Jakob Poeltl. He’s been out since Dec. 21 with a lower back injury, but he’s back in practice and could return on Sunday - albeit with a minutes restriction. His presence in the paint would be a welcome sight for a Raptors team that’s been leaning heavily on smaller lineups.
Immanuel Quickley is also listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain he picked up in practice. That’s a significant variable.
Quickley has been on a tear lately, averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 boards, 6 assists, and nearly 2 steals over his last 10 games. He’s been lights out from the field, shooting over 50% overall and from beyond the arc.
That stretch includes a 40-point, 10-assist gem against the Warriors back on Jan. 20 - a performance that showed exactly why Toronto was so aggressive in acquiring him.
If Quickley can go, he’ll be a major factor in trying to close out the season series against Indiana. If not, the Raptors will need more from Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and the rest of their young core to keep the offense humming.
Bottom Line:
This game may not carry the national buzz of what’s coming later on Super Bowl Sunday, but it’s a pivotal one for both teams in very different ways.
For Indiana, it’s about development and seeing what this group can do under adversity. For Toronto, it’s about staying sharp and keeping pace in the playoff race.
And with so many key players listed as questionable, the final hours leading up to tip-off could shift the outlook in a big way.