November 3, 2026 at 6:58 AM UTC
Pregame AnalysisDepleted Pacers Face Unbeaten Grizzlies in Memphis
Memphis brings a perfect record and the league's top scoring offense against an Indiana roster stretched to its limit.
- IND @ MEM Nov 5, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC
Indiana arrives in Memphis in about as thin a spot as an NBA team can be. The Pacers played the Hawks with only six available players, 11 sidelined, and still lost just 108-104 to fall to 2-6. Kelly Oubre Jr.'s late scratch with a bruised knee cut the group from seven to six. That effort deserves respect, but it also sets up a difficult second act against the NBA's last unbeaten team.
The cost of that night is the bigger issue. All six Pacers who played logged between 34 and 45 minutes, and Rick Carlisle said they played too many minutes. Braden Smith appeared to cramp late. With Tyrese Haliburton out at least two weeks with a hamstring strain, and Pascal Siakam resting in the last game, it is unclear who will be available. Even if the group is slightly larger, there is little reason to expect fresh legs or much offensive creativity without Haliburton.
Memphis is 6-0 despite trading away Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, and the formula is clear. The Grizzlies lead the league at 121.2 points per game. Rookie No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and a returning Zach Edey form a frontcourt that should punish an undermanned Indiana group, while Ty Jerome has scored heavily. Indiana can compete for stretches, but a short rotation facing a high-scoring home team usually wears down in the second half.
Expect Indiana to hang around early on effort, then fade as Memphis's size and scoring depth take over. Prediction: Grizzlies 123, Pacers 107.