Injury woes have plagued the Indiana Pacers this season, having lost star guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire year and facing extended absences from key players. So far, a staggering 24 players have taken to the court for the Pacers this season. Similarly, the San Antonio Spurs have battled injuries but have managed to navigate this adversity fairly well. However, they will face a significant challenge on Friday night in Indianapolis, as they will be without star rookies Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell.
The Spurs recently secured a thrilling victory against the New York Knicks, pulling off a comeback from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to the impressive shooting of Julian Champagnie. Unfortunately, this victory came at a cost; Wembanyama hyperextended his knee during the game. While initial MRI results are negative, it’s uncertain how long he will be sidelined.
Once a contender, the Pacers currently find themselves at the bottom of the league standings, holding the worst record in the NBA just a year after making it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. They have struggled immensely, ranking as the team with the least points per game and one of the poorest defensive ratings, all while riding a 10-game losing streak. Despite these challenges, the Pacers feature talents like Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, indicating that a turnaround could be on the horizon.
For the Spurs, despite their previous tendency to underperform against weaker opponents, they appear well-positioned to secure a victory over the struggling Pacers, especially considering the competitive nature of the upcoming January schedule.
As game day approaches, fans can tune in on January 2nd, 2025, at 6 PM CT, through Fan Duel or listen on WOAI (1200 AM).
In terms of injuries, the Spurs will be missing Stanley Umude, David Jones-Garcia, Harrison Ingram, and both Wembanyama and Vassell, while the Pacers will be without Haliburton, Isaiah Jackson, and Obi Toppin, while T.J. McConnell is probable.
Key matchups to watch include how the Spurs intend to penetrate the Pacers’ defense. The Pacers have shown strength in guarding the three-point line, yet they struggle significantly against teams attacking the rim. San Antonio’s trio of guards—Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper—will need to capitalize on their abilities to penetrate the paint while being cautious of Indiana’s rim protector, Jay Huff, who is averaging 2.3 blocks per game.
Another advantage for the Spurs lies in rebounding. Indiana ranks near the bottom in total rebounds allowed, giving San Antonio’s aggressive rebounders like Luke Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and Champagnie an excellent opportunity to dominate the glass and create second-chance points, which could be pivotal for securing a decisive win.
With Wembanyama and Vassell out, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson will likely lean more on his bench players. Expect to see increased minutes for Kelly Olynyk, who performed well against the Knicks, along with contributions from rookie Carter Bryant, sharpshooter Lindy Waters, and potentially Jeremy Sochan—who could play a crucial role in matching up against the undersized Pacers.
Overall, while both teams face their own set of challenges, the Spurs aim to capitalize on their favorable matchup and leverage their depth to overcome injuries, while the Pacers look to build a foundation for the future, demonstrating that even in tough times, resilience can lay the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow.