November 8, 2026 at 4:27 AM UTC
Pregame AnalysisShort-Handed Pacers Face a Quick Turnaround in Dallas
Indiana's missing star and a short trip from Mexico City give Dallas a narrow edge.
This page is the pregame analysis. The box score is the main page for the game, and the matchup history collects every meeting between these teams.
- Pacers vs Mavericks Box Score – Nov 9, 2026 (2026-27) Mavericks vs Pacers matchup history Postgame report
The most important fact for Indiana is that Tyrese Haliburton is out with a left hamstring strain and has no return timetable. Without their star point guard, the Pacers have to win through shared responsibility. They showed they can do that in their 107-103 win at Memphis, which ended a five-game losing streak. Andrew Nembhard scored 22, Pascal Siakam added 20, and six players reached double figures, including rookie Braden Smith in his second career start. That balance is the blueprint for Indiana here.
The context is harder to ignore. At 3-6 after an injury-hit start, the Pacers are being questioned on depth, and the list of absences is long. Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are out. Nembhard, Nesmith and Zubac have been managing injuries, and T.J. McConnell and Kelly Oubre Jr. were questionable going into the Nov. 7 game. If McConnell is still sidelined, Nesmith and Quenton Jackson could keep larger roles. The schedule adds to the strain, because Indiana played Denver in Mexico City on Nov. 7 and tips off in Dallas two days later. Travel and a short turnaround could cost them energy, particularly on defense late in the game.
Dallas is not at full strength either. Dereck Lively II, Sergio De Larrea and Tarik Biberovic are listed out, which removes the Mavericks' center and two other rotation pieces. That gives Indiana a chance to stay close if its scoring stays spread out and it avoids a slow start.
Still, the Pacers are missing their primary creator and playing on the shortest rest. The Mavericks are thin, but they are at home and do not carry that travel burden. I expect Indiana to hang around for a while, but Dallas should pull away late.
Prediction: Mavericks 112, Pacers 106.