Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are set to face off on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The preseason matchup will give both teams a valuable opportunity to evaluate rotations and player fitness before the start of the 2025–26 NBA season. Fans are eager to see how both rosters look after a busy offseason, especially since these two teams met in the NBA Finals earlier this year. The game is expected to draw significant attention as a rematch between two young, talented squads preparing to make another deep playoff run.

The Pacers will enter this contest dealing with a string of injuries that could affect their depth and rhythm. Tyrese Haliburton is out for the entire season following an Achilles injury sustained in the Finals. T.J. McConnell remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Ben Sheppard will miss the game for personal reasons. Isaiah Jackson is questionable with a calf strain, leaving the Pacers light in their rotation. Indiana signed veteran guard Cameron Payne on a training camp deal to help stabilize the backcourt. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, is mostly healthy but not without concerns. Chet Holmgren is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, Ajay Mitchell is doubtful with an ankle issue, and rookie guard Nikola Topić will miss several weeks following a medical procedure. Jalen Williams is out due to a wrist injury, but key contributors like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Alex Caruso are expected to play.

From a tactical standpoint, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle will look to adjust his offensive scheme without his floor general Haliburton. Expect Indiana to focus on spacing and ball movement through younger players like Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, while also testing Payne’s ability to manage the offense. Carlisle’s system may emphasize defensive pressure and fast-paced transition plays to counterbalance the missing playmaking. On the Thunder’s bench, Mark Daigneault is expected to manage his core players carefully, focusing on player combinations and defensive rotations. Oklahoma City’s system thrives on versatility and unselfishness, and Daigneault will likely use this matchup to test depth pieces while maintaining the team’s defensive identity and high-tempo offense.

Media coverage ahead of the game has leaned in favor of the Thunder, with analysts highlighting their roster consistency and stronger health situation. Many commentators predict Oklahoma City to win comfortably, given Indiana’s injury problems and lack of backcourt depth. However, there’s also a sense of intrigue around how the Pacers will adapt without Haliburton, and whether their role players can step up. The betting lines reflect the Thunder’s advantage, with most oddsmakers placing them as clear favorites, but journalists have noted that preseason games often produce unpredictable results due to rotation experimentation and limited minutes for starters.

In studio discussions, analysts have focused on Indiana’s guard situation and whether Nembhard and Mathurin can take command offensively. They’ve also debated how Holmgren’s possible absence could impact Oklahoma City’s rim protection and rebounding. Key matchups like Dort’s defensive role against Indiana’s wings and SGA’s ability to create offense will be closely watched. Studio analysts expect the Thunder’s bench to play a decisive role in maintaining momentum during the second and third quarters. While most expect Oklahoma City to win, the broader focus will be on how both coaches utilize their depth, manage minutes, and prepare their squads for the challenges of the upcoming regular season.