Indiana Pacers vs Minnesota Timberwolves

The excitement in Minneapolis is building as the Indiana Pacers arrive at the Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, marking Minnesota’s highly anticipated home opener of the 2025–26 NBA season. The matchup has already caught the attention of fans across both conferences, as it represents an early test for a restructured Pacers squad against one of the league’s most stable and defensively disciplined teams.

For Indiana, the start of the season has been marked by adversity before a single ball is tipped. Tyrese Haliburton remains unavailable after his devastating Achilles injury in last season’s Finals, leaving a major hole in the Pacers’ offensive organization. Veteran guard T.J. McConnell continues his recovery from a hamstring issue, while Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and rookie Taelon Peter are all listed as doubtful. These absences mean that players like Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith are expected to see expanded minutes, forcing coach Rick Carlisle to rely heavily on lineup flexibility and defensive stability to compensate for the missing firepower.

Minnesota enters the contest with a cleaner bill of health but still a few questions. Rookie guard Rob Dillingham is questionable after sustaining a minor nose injury during preseason, though coach Chris Finch hinted he could be cleared in time to play limited minutes. Finch plans to open the game with his veteran backcourt of Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo, while Anthony Edwards continues to anchor the offense as the team’s main scoring threat. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert will again patrol the frontcourt, forming one of the most imposing defensive duos in the league — a challenge that could prove decisive against an undermanned Pacers lineup.

From a tactical perspective, Carlisle’s Pacers are expected to slow the tempo and emphasize team-oriented play. Without Haliburton’s orchestration, Indiana will focus on structured sets, ball-sharing, and increased defensive rotations to limit transition points. Finch, on the other hand, has emphasized a faster pace and deeper offensive variety for Minnesota. His adjustments this season involve integrating more motion offense, allowing Edwards to create off the dribble, and giving his secondary guards freedom to initiate plays — a shift designed to keep the Timberwolves unpredictable and difficult to defend.

Across the sports media landscape, much of the conversation leading into this matchup centers on how Indiana will adapt without its floor general. Analysts in pre-game shows have described the Pacers as a “team in tactical transition,” while noting Carlisle’s reputation for engineering competitive performances under difficult circumstances. Studio discussions have highlighted Minnesota’s strong continuity and locker-room chemistry, praising Finch’s steady hand and the team’s growing maturity following their deep playoff run last season. The general expectation is that Minnesota’s discipline, defensive communication, and energy at home will pose a significant test for a Pacers squad still searching for rhythm and identity early in the campaign.