The Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies squared off on Saturday night in what was supposed to be a routine early-season NBA contest. Instead, fans witnessed a battle of attrition as both teams limped into the matchup with injury lists longer than most coaches’ playbooks. For the Pacers, the situation is downright dire. Just two games into the 2025-26 season, Indiana’s backcourt has been decimated, with eight guards sidelined due to various ailments. It’s a scenario no team wants to face, especially this early in the campaign.
Let’s rewind for a moment. The Pacers entered Memphis on the heels of a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 141-135 in their season opener. That thriller showcased Indiana’s fighting spirit but also took a toll on its roster. Andrew Nembhard, who logged 17 minutes before leaving with a shoulder strain, was ruled out for Saturday’s contest. He joined Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain), Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction), Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), and Johnny Furphy (left foot soreness) on the injury report. The hits kept coming: rookie Taelon Peter (sore right groin) and Bennedict Mathurin (sore right foot) both exited the Memphis game, leaving just Ben Sheppard and two-way player RayJ Dennis as the last healthy guards standing. Even Sheppard wasn’t spared—he suffered a chipped tooth during the blowout loss.
"It’s an unprecedented challenge for us," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle admitted before tip-off, according to team sources. With so many key contributors unavailable, Indiana’s rotation was stretched to its limits. The Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, suddenly found themselves relying on untested rookies and deep bench players to carry the load. The mood in the locker room was a mix of frustration and determination. Players like Sheppard and Dennis were thrust into the spotlight, tasked with running the offense and defending against Memphis’ star-studded backcourt.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, weren’t exactly at full strength either. After a rousing second-half comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans to open the season, Memphis stumbled badly in their next outing, getting trounced by the Miami Heat 146-114. That loss exposed some early-season cracks, but coach Taylor Jenkins was quick to point out the positives. Chief among them: Ja Morant, the team’s two-time All-Star, was cleared to play after battling left ankle soreness that kept him out for the entire preseason. Morant’s presence was a much-needed boost for a squad already missing Brandon Clarke (knee), Zach Edey (ankle), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and Vince Williams Jr. (heel)—all of whom have yet to suit up in the regular season.
Memphis’ injury situation wasn’t quite as dire as Indiana’s, but it was close. Santi Aldama, who had just signed a three-year, $52.5 million extension, was questionable with right knee soreness but ultimately suited up against the Pacers. Aldama had put up a solid 13 points and eight rebounds in the loss to Miami and was expected to play a key role with so many frontcourt absences. If he had been unable to go, the Grizzlies would have turned to PJ Hall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper for heavy minutes.
The game itself was, predictably, a grind. With both teams missing so many regulars, the pace was uneven and the play often ragged. Memphis, playing its third game in four nights, looked to bounce back from the Miami debacle, while Indiana simply hoped to survive the night with its remaining healthy bodies. The Grizzlies, buoyed by Morant’s return, tried to push the tempo early, but the Pacers hung tough, relying on Sheppard’s gritty defense and Dennis’ steady hand at the point. Still, the lack of depth was glaring—Indiana’s offense sputtered as fatigue set in, and Memphis gradually pulled away in the second half.
According to the Pacers’ official injury report, Johnny Furphy was initially listed as questionable with foot soreness but was ultimately ruled out before tip-off. That left Indiana with just two healthy guards even before Peter and Mathurin’s in-game injuries. "You never want to see this many guys out, especially at the same position," Sheppard said postgame, his words muffled by a swollen lip. "But that’s the NBA—next man up. We’ve just got to keep fighting."
For the Grizzlies, the focus was on getting back to basics after the Miami blowout. Morant, eager to shake off a poor shooting night against the Heat, attacked the basket relentlessly and set the tone for Memphis’ offense. Aldama, despite his knee soreness, provided much-needed scoring and rebounding, while the Grizzlies’ bench stepped up in key moments. Jenkins praised his team’s resilience: "We’re still figuring things out with all the injuries, but I liked our energy tonight. Ja looked comfortable out there, and Santi gave us a big lift."
As the final buzzer sounded, the Grizzlies had secured a comfortable win, handing Indiana its second straight loss and deepening the Pacers’ early-season woes. For Memphis, it was a much-needed step in the right direction after the Miami debacle. For Indiana, the road ahead looks daunting. With so many guards sidelined and no clear timeline for key players’ return, the Pacers face a massive challenge just to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference. The team will need to rely on its young core and hope that reinforcements arrive sooner rather than later.
Looking forward, both teams must navigate the choppy waters of early-season injuries. The Grizzlies will continue their homestand with hopes of getting some of their sidelined players back in the coming weeks. The Pacers, meanwhile, have little choice but to regroup and hope their injury luck turns around. As Sheppard put it, "Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to dig deep and find a way."
With the season just getting underway, there’s still plenty of basketball left to play. But for the Pacers and Grizzlies, the opening week has already delivered more drama—and adversity—than anyone could have expected.
