Fresh off their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades, the Indiana Pacers will return to regular season action on Thursday night against the team that sent them home: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pacers were one win away from securing their first NBA championship in franchise history back in June, but the Thunder ultimately walked away with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Though the stakes will not be nearly as high, Indiana will look to get its revenge against Oklahoma City to begin the 2025-26 NBA season on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Here is the full injury report for both teams ahead of Thursday night's game:
10/23 Pacers injury report vs. Thunder
- Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) - OUT
- Quenton Jackson (hamstring) - OUT
- Kam Jones (back) - OUT
- T.J. McConnell (hamstring) - OUT
Unfortunately for the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of the team's Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals. The Wisconsin native will be out for the entire season. In his place, the Pacers are going to slide Andrew Nembhard over to the point guard role full-time.
Quenton Jackson, who the team re-signed to a two-way contract in the offseason, suffered a hamstring injury during a preseason game against the Thunder. Head coach Rick Carlisle had already said the 27-year-old would not be available, though his return could be "days, not weeks" away (h/t Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star).
With Jackson officially out, the Pacers will likely rely a bit more heavily on Ben Sheppard to play backup point guard. Fellow two-way guard RayJ Dennis could also be in line for some minutes in the season opener.
Second-round rookie Kam Jones missed the entire preseason due to a back injury, and he will be re-evaluated on Nov. 9, per Carlisle. He will not make his NBA debut on Thursday.
Backup point guard T.J. McConnell suffered a hamstring injury during Indiana's first preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pittsburgh native is going to be out for at least a month, meaning he will not suit up against Oklahoma City.
10/23 Thunder injury report vs. Pacers
- Alex Caruso (concussion protocol) - OUT
- Lu Dort (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah Joe (knee) - OUT
- Thomas Sorber (knee) - OUT
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) - OUT
- Cason Wallace (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
- Jalen Williams (wrist, surgical recovery) - OUT
- Kenrich Williams (knee, surgical recovery) - OUT
Alex Caruso suffered a concussion in the Thunder's victory during their season opener against the Houston Rockets. There is no set timetable for his return, but he is out against Indiana.
Lu Dort is dealing with an ankle sprain and is listed as questionable for Oklahoma City on Thursday.
The Thunder will be without Isaiah Joe, who also missed their game against Houston, as he recovers from a knee sprain.
Oklahoma City drafted Thomas Sorber with the 15th pick in this year's draft. However, the Georgetown alum suffered a torn ACL during a workout in September and will miss the entire season.
Nikola Topic, who the Thunder drafted 12th overall last year, still has yet to make his NBA debut after suffering an ACL injury last offseason. He underwent a testicular procedure earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks. His debut may be on the horizon, but he is out against Indiana.
The Thunder have listed Cason Wallace, who played 42 minutes against Houston on Tuesday, as questionable due to a knee injury.
Jalen Williams, who was named an All-Star for the first time last season, underwent wrist surgery in July and is still recovering. He has no concrete timetable for his return, and he will be out on Thursday.
Kenrich Williams underwent knee surgery in September and is expected to be re-evaluated in a few weeks. He will also miss Oklahoma City's game against the Pacers.