After barely defeating the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the Indiana Pacers will get right back into action and take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. This will be Indiana's second game of their four-game road trip and the second time they take on the Trail Blazers this season. Both teams went head-to-head in Indiana in November, which culminated in a seven-point victory for the Pacers.
Both teams are much different now than they were in November, however. The Pacers have drastically turned things around and are 12-2 to begin 2025. They are 28-20 and own the No. 4 seed in the East. As for Portland, despite still possessing a losing record (21-29), they have also been one of the hottest teams in the league. They are 8-1 in their last nine games and are in the midst of a four-game winning streak. It may be hard to believe, but Portland's four-game winning streak is tied with the Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the longest active winning streak.
Tonight's game is a pretty big one for both teams as they each look to build off their momentum and continue their hot streak. Here is the full injury report for the Pacers and Trail Blazers.
2/4 Pacers injury report vs. Trail Blazers
- RayJ Dennis (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Enrique Freeman (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Aaron Nesmith (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
- Myles Turner (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
- James Wiseman (Achilles) - OUT
The Pacers were without Myles Turner against the Jazz due to an ankle injury, and they may be without him again tonight as he remains listed as questionable. In his place, the Pacers started Thomas Bryant, who mostly struggled in the win. If Turner is unable to go again tonight, the Pacers will likely start Bryant for the second consecutive night.
Aaron Nesmith returned from his ankle injury on January 16 and has yet to miss a game since. However, the Pacers also have not played a back-to-back since, and it is possible that he is just listed as questionable for precautionary reasons. If he is unable to play, the Pacers will likely rely more heavily on Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker off the bench.
2/4 Trail Blazers injury report vs. Pacers
- Matisse Thybulle (ankle) - OUT
The Trail Blazers have just one name on their injury report, and it is defensive star Matisse Thybulle. Thybulle has not suited up for the Trail Blazers this season and is currently recovering from a Grade 2 ankle sprain he suffered in November. He still has no concrete timetable for his return, and he will not play against Indiana.
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Aaron Nesmith
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Thomas Bryant
Portland Trail Blazers
PG: Anfernee Simons
SG: Toumani Camara
SF: Deni Avdija
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Deandre Ayton