Inside The Nets

GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers

The Nets are in the final stretch of the season while on their quest to compete for a Play-In spot in a game against the Pacers.
Peter Sunjic|
© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Late into the season, the Nets are playing their first out of three games against the Indiana Pacers. It will be one of the toughest matchups for Brooklyn, considering the Pacers are one of the most challenging teams to defend.

Brooklyn is coming off a loss to the Orlando Magic, which should motivate them to perform better in this game against Indiana. Coach Kevin Ollie has a challenging task, especially on the defensive end.

Indiana’s offense will be a handful

Tyrese Haliburton spearheads the Pacers’ offense, which ranks second in the league at 120.4. The All-Star guard averages 20.7 points and 11.4 assists per game. He is one of the league’s best offensive players, producing most of Indiana’s points.

Hali is not alone, as this Pacers team has talented players. The biggest one outside of their star point guard is Pascal Siakam, who arrived in a deal before the trade deadline. In his 26 games in Indianapolis, Spicy P has averaged 20.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He will be a challenging matchup for Brooklyn, as his physicality is problematic for the wings.

For Brooklyn, Coach Ollie would want standout performances from his stars, Cameron Thomas and Mikal Bridges. Cam has been superb recently, leading the way for the Nets. Mikal has been inconsistent, but he’ll likely play well against a mediocre Pacers defense.

Another matchup to watch is Nic Claxton vs. Myles Turner because the latter loves stretching the floor with his jump shooting. However, Nic isn’t the typical big man who drops back, as he can blitz the pick-and-roll to cover shots from the perimeter.

Injury Report

Most of the Nets are healthy, barring the season-ending injuries to Ben Simmons and Dariq Whitehead. Both players have undergone surgeries, so expect them to be healthy by training camp before the 2024/25 season. It also means that Brooklyn should be prepared for this game against Indy, considering they’ve gotten used to not having those two players.

The Pacers also have two players on their injury report, as Doug McDermott is dealing with a calf injury. On the other end, Bennedict Mathurin suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which forced him to undergo season-ending surgery. It leaves Indiana without depth in the wing position, which should be an advantage for Brooklyn.

“Hopefully, they see some light at the end of the tunnel" - Kevin Ollie hopes for good results for Brooklyn

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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