The Indiana Pacers, who have now won five straight games, are in position to be above .500 for the first time since winning their season opener against the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they have a difficult task at hand as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the first time this season, the Pacers will take on the 23-5 Thunder, who own the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Interestingly, despite Oklahoma City's success this season and last, they have lost each of their last three games to Indiana. The Pacers will look to extend that streak tonight.
Ahead of the game, both teams have multiple players on the injury report, including some notable ones. Here is the full injury report for the Pacers' battle against the Thunder.
12/26 Pacers injury report vs. Thunder
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Aaron Nesmith (ankle) - OUT
- Myles Turner (oblique) - QUESTIONABLE
- James Wiseman (Achilles) - OUT
The only new name on the Pacers' injury report is Myles Turner, who is reportedly dealing with a right oblique contusion. Though he is still having a bit of a down year, Turner has started turning things around. In each of his last four games, Turner has scored in double digits while shooting at least 50% from the field. Furthermore, in that same span, he has recorded at least six rebounds and two blocks in each game.
If Turner is unable to suit up, the Pacers will likely rely more heavily on Thomas Bryant, who has played solid minutes as the team's backup big man since they traded for him earlier this month.
12/26 Thunder injury report vs. Pacers
- Branden Carlson (concussion protocol) - OUT
- Alex Caruso (hip) - OUT
- Chet Holmgren (hip) - OUT
- Nikola Topic (knee) - OUT
Thunder star big man Chet Holmgren has been out of action since mid-November after suffering a hip injury. He remains out indefinitely, but the Thunder expect him to return at some point this season.
Alex Caruso, who is in the midst of his first season with the Thunder and recently signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension, will miss tonight's game in Indiana. Caruso is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, so having him on the sidelines could be huge for the Pacers.
Rookie Nikola Topic, who the Thunder got with the 12th overall pick in this year's draft, suffered an ACL injury over the summer and will miss the entire 2024-25 season.
The Thunder will also be without rookie center Branden Carlson as he is in concussion protocol.
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Bennedict Mathurin
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Cason Wallace
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Isaiah Hartenstein