Indiana Pacers will have three key players questionable for season finale

The Indiana Pacers are trying to make the playoffs and avoid the play-in. They don't want to have to deal with the randomness of a possible one-and-done scenario. They will take on the Hawks today in the season finale to try and be at least the six-seed in the Eastern Conference.

There are scenarios where the Pacers can still be as high as the five-seed, but they aren't concerned with that. After failing to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, they are motivated to beat the Hawks. Unfortunately, they might have to do so without three key players.

Three players are listed as questionable as we get closer to game time. Obi Toppin has a sprained ankle that forced him to miss the end of the Cavs game. Jalen Smith also has an ankle injury. Isaiah Jackson has a left hamstring issue that could keep him out.

The Indiana Pacers might not have a backup center

If the Pacers have both Jackson and Smith out, that could be a massive issue. That would leave them without a backup center for Myles Turner, which is a problem. The Pacers need someone to spread the floor when Turner is on the bench. It could be a bigger problem if they also don't have Toppin.

Toppin is a fantastic three-point shooter off the bench and is the best rim runner on the team. The Pacers have the best bench in the league because of their depth. That depth might be tested this afternoon when they take on a Hawks team that can be feisty.

Indiana needs to get more production from their starters if these bench guys aren't going to be able to play. That means Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner are going to have to lead the way. That's who they're going to be able to make the playoffs.