Shorthanded Pacers to Face Warriors Without Golden State Hall of Famer

Sep 29, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and forward Jimmy Butler III (10) pose for a photo during Media Day at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers might be missing a whopping nine players ahead of their second game in as many days, a road matchup against the slipping Golden State Warriors.

But Golden State will be missing a future Hall of Famer, too.

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Per Underdog NBA, 11-time All-NBA Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has been ruled out of Sunday's bout with a lingering illness issue.

Former five-time All-Star floor-spacing big man Al Horford, who had been questionable to play through a foot injury, has been upgraded and will suit up, according to Underdog NBA. As he did with the Boston Celtics recently, Horford has accepted a bench role to preserve his body ahead of an anticipated deep playoff run, despite arguably being the best option to serve as Golden State's starting center.

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Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton, who was offloaded to the Brooklyn Nets last year after suffering a season-ending ACL tear, was brought back into the fold this summer. He continues to ramp up his rehab, but his debut for Golden State this year will have to wait another game.

Still, the Warriors should have enough ammunition to take down the reeling Pacers.

Indiana has kicked off its 2025-26 campaign with a brutal 1-8 season start (that one win did come against the Warriors, in fairness), amid a litany of injury issues. Heading into Sunday's tilt against Golden State, the Pacers are down a whopping nine players. Beyond two-time All-NBA Third Team star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (who has been ruled out for the season already as he recuperates from a torn Achilles tendon), Indiana is without starters Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith.

Ailing Pacers

Beyond those key pieces, reserve power forward Obi Toppin (foot surgery) and backup guards T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain), Taelon Peter (sore right groin), Quenton Jackson (strained right hamstring), Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction), and Johnny Furphy (sprained left ankle) are all on the shelf, too.

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back slate following a 117-100 road blowout against the Denver Nuggets, the Pacers are clearly throwing in the towel a bit by resting Siakam and Nesmith, both of whom played on Saturday.

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