The Indiana Pacers are on a roll right now having won all three games of the calendar year so far. Additionally, following their win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, they are finally above .500 for the first time since starting the season 1-0. Indiana will look to continue their hot streak with a win over the Chicago Bulls, who have won four of their last five games.
Tonight's game will be the second time the Pacers take on the Bulls this season. These two teams went head-to-head on December 6, a game that culminated in a 132-123 victory for the Pacers. This is also just the second of four matchups the Pacers will have against Chicago this season.
Indiana is riding a hot streak right now and should be able to at least hold their own against the 17-19 Bulls. However, the Pacers may be short-handed, which would make a victory much more difficult to come by.
Here is the full injury report for tonight's Pacers vs. Bulls battle, including an update on star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
1/8 Pacers injury report vs. Bulls
- RayJ Dennis (G League) - OUT
- Enrique Freeman (G League) - OUT
- Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) - AVAILABLE
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Quenton Jackson (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Aaron Nesmith (ankle) - OUT
- Myles Turner (illness) - OUT
- James Wiseman (Achilles) - OUT
There are no real surprises for Indiana here besides the addition of Tyrese Haliburton. According to Pacers beat writer Scott Agness, Haliburton sustained a right ankle sprain in Monday's victory against the Nets. However, as Agness mentioned, the guard, who has played amazing basketball recently, stayed in the game and was once again the Pacers' leading scorer.
Tyrese Haliburton added to the Pacers' injury report for Wednesday v Bulls with a right ankle sprain sustained in Monday's win in Brooklyn.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) January 7, 2025
He remained in the game and led the team in scoring for the fifth time in six games.
Fortunately for the Pacers, Haliburton's injury is not too serious and he is available to play. However, because of his injury, the Pacers may rely more heavily on Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell at point guard.
Pacers center Myles Turner is also on the injury report due to an illness. Turner has only missed two games this season and has turned things around in recent weeks. Unfortunately, he is unable to go tonight due to the illness. The Pacers will start backup big man Thomas Bryant in his place.
1/6 Bulls injury report vs. Pacers
- Torrey Craig (leg) - OUT
- Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) - OUT
- E.J. Liddell (G League) - OUT
- Emanuel Miller (G League) - OUT
- Adama Sanogo (G League) - OUT
The Bulls are going to be without some notable players against the Pacers. Ayo Dosunmu, who has started more than half of his games for Chicago this season, will miss his seventh consecutive game tonight due to an Achilles injury. Dosunmu, who is averaging 12.6 points and 4.8 assists, is expected to miss at least one more week.
Torrey Craig, one of the best defenders on the team, is set to miss his fourth consecutive game due to a leg injury. The 34-year-old has appeared in just nine games for the Bulls this season.
Furthermore, E.J. Liddell, Emanuel Miller, and Adama Sanogo are all going to be inactive for Chicago due to G League assignments or being on a two-way contract.
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Bennedict Mathurin
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Thomas Bryant
Chicago Bulls
PG: Josh Giddey
SG: Coby White
SF: Zach LaVine
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic