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The Indiana Pacers are set to play their first home game of the season on Friday evening at 7 p.m., welcoming the Dallas Mavericks to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The matchup carries extra significance as it marks Tyrese Haliburton's first official game back in the building since Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Fans are expected to show their appreciation for the franchise point guard, who gave his all to the city, team, and organization during the 2025 playoff run.
However, the Pacers will again be without backup point guard T.J. McConnell, who has been ruled out with a right hamstring strain. McConnell has been sidelined since the start of training camp, and there is no clear timetable for his return. Starting small forward Aaron Nesmith, who missed Wednesday's season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, has been upgraded from out to questionable with a left hamstring strain. Typically, when the Pacers upgrade a player's status, that player suits up the following game, so Nesmith's availability would provide a significant boost to the team's depth.
New to the injury report is guard-forward Ben Sheppard, who exited Wednesday's 123-120 victory over the Pelicans at the end of the third quarter and did not return. He is listed as questionable with knee soreness. Johnny Furphy remains out as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in February against the Toronto Raptors. While some websites list Furphy as out for the season, that is inaccurate; the belief is he will be healthy around the midway point of the season.
Key Analysis
The Dallas Mavericks will be short-handed in the frontcourt. Center Dereck Lively II is still recovering from foot surgery performed last season; he was expected to be ready for training camp but is slightly behind schedule in his rehab. Santi Aldama, acquired in the offseason, will also miss the game as he recovers from an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee that ended his 2025-26 season in March. According to coach Dusty May, Aldama has been limited in practice and is not expected to be out long. Caleb Martin (right thumb sprain) and Tarik Biberovic (right heel bursitis) have been ruled out, while Jett Howard is questionable with right calf tightness/soreness.