Pacers Rule Out 5 Players, List Another as Questionable for Grizzlies Matchup

Oct 23, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers ruled out five players ahead of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Andrew Nembhard, Quention Jackson, Kam Jones, T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton will all miss the Pacers' second game of the season, and Johnny Furphy is questionable with a sore left foot.

Injury Report for tomorrow night’s game in Memphis:

Johnny Furphy - Questionable (sore left foot)
Andrew Nembhard - Out (left shoulder strain)
Quenton Jackson - Out (right hamstring strain)
Kam Jones - Out (lower back stress reaction)
T.J. McConnell - Out (left hamstring strain)… pic.twitter.com/aB1IbxOf2c

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 24, 2025

Nembhard suffered a shoulder injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Pacers' season opener on Thursday and did not play in the second half after showing clear signs of injury in the first half. Shooting guard Ben Sheppard came out for the second half in his place, and will likely be his replacement going forward.

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Furphy is the only other player listed on the injury report who featured in the Pacers' opening game, playing one minute.

McConnell and Jackson both suffered injuries to their hamstring in the preseason, and Jones is out with a lower back stress reaction, which has been bothering him since before the season. 

More news: Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard Ruled Out vs Thunder With Injury

Nembhard's injury is bad news for the Pacers, who were already thin at the guard position following Haliburton's Achilles tendon tear during the NBA Finals last season. Nembhard was supposed to take on a larger role in the Pacers' offense in Haliburton's absence, having come off of his best NBA season to date in 2024-25.

The guard posted 10.0 points per game, as well as 5.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds, all of which were career highs. He became an everyday starter, playing 65 games and starting each of them.

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With Nembhard sidelined, the Pacers will look towards Benedict Mathurin and Sheppard to take the biggest load in the backcourt.

The Pacers will look to take their first win of the young season against the Grizzlies on Saturday, having been successful their last time out against Memphis. They scored 127 points in a win over the Grizzlies in February, and will look for a similar result against the Western Conference team on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CST.

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.