Pacers Rule Out 7 Guards Ahead of Timberwolves Match

Mar 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles the ball while Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

A whopping seven Indiana Pacers guards will sit out against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

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Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports that — along with established long-term absentees Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell and Kam Jones — the Pacers will be without starting guards Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, second-year shooting guard Johnny Furphy, and two-way rookie guard Taelon Peter.

Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Johnny Furphy, Taelon Peter all officially ruled out for the Pacers' game today against the Timberwolves. Quenton Jackson, however, is probable.

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) October 26, 2025

Nembhard suffered a left shoulder strain during Indiana's season opener, a double-overtime heartbreaker against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. McConnell strained his left hamstring and is set to be reevaluated in December.

Furphy has a sore left foot. Jones could be out long-term with a lower back stress reaction.

Mathurin and Peter are the newest additions to this rapidly expanding injury report for Indiana, having both gotten hurt during the team's 128-103 trouncing at the hands of the similarly-undermanned Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Mathurin has been diagnosed with a right great toe sprain, while Peter has a strained right groin.

Peter is merely a two-way rookie signing, and hasn't been a part of Rick Carlisle's rotations consistently. He likely would have seen more minutes now, given how many Pacers are unavailable ahead of tonight's meeting, the second encounter of a back-to-back slate of games.

Mathurin's Encouraging Season Start

Mathurin appeared to have been thriving in his new starting role for Indiana this season.

In just 28 minutes, Mathurin had managed to score a team-most 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor (2-of-2 from distance) and 8-of-9 shooting from the charity stripe, four assists and three rebounds. His absence as a critical scorer could be deeply felt in this Minnesota clash.

Guard Quenton Jackson's status remains up in the air, so there's that.

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He's considered probable to grind through a strained right hamstring in the absence of healthy bodies for Indiana. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, will be missing only have one player, guard Rob Dillingham, on their injury report. He is dealing with a nasal fracture.

Two-way rookie center Rocco Zikarsky, currently not a rotation piece for Minnesota, is available but will be wearing a face mask. The 7-foot-3 big man was selected with the No. 45 overall pick after a two-season NBL stint for his native Australia's Brisbane Bullets.

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