The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets are set to square off in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash on Thursday night, and both teams are carrying their share of baggage into the matchup. For the Pacers, the weight is especially heavy: they arrive in Charlotte riding a franchise-record 13-game losing streak, a skid that has tested the resolve of both players and coaches. The Hornets, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a tough home loss to the Toronto Raptors just one night prior. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET in Charlotte, and while the stakes might not be playoff-level, there’s plenty of pride and momentum on the line as both squads search for answers in a challenging season.
Indiana’s woes have been well-documented. Their latest defeat came at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 22-point, 4-rebound performance from Pascal Siakam and a 20-point effort from Jay Huff not enough to snap the Pacers’ slide. With a 6-31 record entering Thursday’s contest, Indiana is desperate for a spark—something that’s hard to come by when the injury list is as long as a midseason road trip. Thursday’s game marks the Pacers’ final contest away from home before a four-game homestand, and it’s the second of four meetings with the Hornets this season. The last time these teams met, on November 19, Indiana snagged a 127-118 win—a distant memory amid their current struggles.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Pacers, and Thursday’s game is no exception. The team will be without Tyrese Haliburton, who remains sidelined with an Achilles issue, as well as Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), and Obi Toppin (foot). Andrew Nembhard, who had been listed as questionable with back soreness, has now been downgraded to out, ending his streak of 18 consecutive games played. During that stretch, Nembhard has been a bright spot, averaging 17.1 points, 7.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting an impressive 46.4% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range. Taelon Peter, on a two-way contract, is listed as doubtful, further thinning Indiana’s rotation.
With so many key contributors unavailable, the Pacers are forced to rely on their depth. If Nembhard is sidelined—as confirmed—T.J. McConnell and Ethan Thompson could see larger roles in the backcourt. The absences of Mathurin, Jackson, Haliburton, and Toppin mean that players like Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, and Ben Sheppard may also be asked to step up and shoulder more responsibility. It’s a tall order for a team already reeling from a string of losses, but adversity can sometimes be the mother of invention in the NBA.
On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets are not without their own injury concerns. The Hornets enter Thursday’s game with a 13-24 record, having dropped their most recent contest to the Raptors at home. In that game, Collin Sexton provided a spark off the bench with 22 points and two rebounds, while LaMelo Ball contributed a well-rounded stat line of 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Ball, who has been dealing with right ankle soreness, is listed as available for Thursday’s matchup, and his presence is a welcome boost for a team looking to steady the ship.
Charlotte’s injury report is lengthy but not insurmountable. Besides Ball, Brandon Miller—who missed the previous game with a left knee contusion—is available to return, and Tidjane Salaun is also cleared to play despite a left ankle sprain. However, rookie big man Ryan Kalkbrenner remains out with a left elbow sprain, Mason Plumlee is still sidelined following right groin surgery (he’s set for a re-evaluation in about six weeks), and Grant Williams continues to recover from a torn right ACL suffered in November 2024. KJ Simpson, another young player, is out as well.
For the Hornets, the return of Ball, Miller, and Salaun should help stabilize the rotation, but they’ll need everyone at their best to capitalize on Indiana’s depleted lineup. Ball has been a key playmaker all season, averaging 19.5 points, 7.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 40.8% from the field and 36.4% from deep. His ability to orchestrate the offense and create opportunities for teammates will be crucial, especially with so many frontcourt players unavailable.
Brandon Miller’s return is particularly notable, as the young forward has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the campaign. His ability to stretch the floor, attack the rim, and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable asset for Charlotte. With the Pacers’ frontcourt thinned by injuries, Miller could be in line for a big night if he’s able to exploit mismatches and get into a rhythm early.
Thursday’s matchup is also a test of resilience for both squads. The Hornets are trying to avoid back-to-back home losses, while the Pacers are simply searching for any sign of life after a brutal stretch. “We’re just trying to stay together, keep working, and find a way to get over the hump,” said a Pacers spokesperson earlier this week. The sentiment is echoed in the Hornets’ locker room, where the focus is on bouncing back quickly from setbacks. “Every game is a new opportunity,” Hornets coach was quoted as saying. “We’ve got to play with energy, execute our game plan, and take advantage of being at home.”
Looking at recent performances, both teams have shown flashes but struggled with consistency. For Indiana, the loss to Cleveland was emblematic of their season: strong individual efforts from Siakam and Huff, but not enough to overcome a lack of depth. For Charlotte, the defeat at the hands of Toronto highlighted their need for more contributions beyond the starting five. Sexton’s outburst off the bench was a positive sign, but the Hornets will need similar efforts from role players to fend off a Pacers team with nothing to lose.
Fans tuning in on Thursday night can expect a hard-fought battle between two teams eager to reverse their fortunes. With so many injuries on both sides, the outcome may hinge on which supporting cast can rise to the occasion. Will the Pacers finally snap their losing streak, or will the Hornets capitalize on home court and send Indiana back to the drawing board? One thing’s for sure: both teams will leave it all on the floor as they look to change the narrative of their seasons.
As the Pacers and Hornets tip off in Charlotte, all eyes are on the players stepping into larger roles and the stars returning from injury. The action is set to unfold at 7 p.m. ET, and with pride, momentum, and perhaps even a bit of redemption at stake, this Eastern Conference showdown promises plenty of drama for fans and players alike.
