The Pacers host Atlanta tonight at 2–5 after losing 98–90 to Brooklyn on Sunday. That makes four straight losses, and the latest injury report leaves Indiana with an even smaller group available for the second night of this back-to-back.

Nembhard, Nesmith, and Siakam have all been ruled out tonight. Nance is doubtful with an illness, while Toppin remains questionable. The Pacers will need substantial contributions from players who began the season expecting much smaller assignments.

What happened against Brooklyn

Nembhard led Indiana with twenty-three points, Siakam added seventeen, and Jackson scored twelve. Brooklyn received twenty-three from Michael Porter Jr., twenty from Julius Randle, and fifteen points and thirteen rebounds from Day’Ron Sharpe.

Indiana struggled to establish an offensive rhythm. The Pacers shot approximately 32% in the first half and made four of twenty threes, yet trailed by only three at the break.

Brooklyn opened the third quarter with nine straight points. Indiana eventually pulled within 75–72 early in the fourth, but never got closer.

The defense gave the Pacers an opportunity to stay in the game. The offense couldn’t produce enough dependable possessions to take advantage. Missing shots is part of that story, but Indiana also needs to create attempts without requiring its primary ball handler to repeatedly break down a set defense.

That assignment becomes considerably harder with Nembhard unavailable tonight.

Jackson takes on a larger responsibility

With Haliburton, McConnell, and Nembhard out, Jackson should have a substantial role in getting Indiana into its offense.

I’m watching his balance between attacking and organizing. His ability to get downhill can create openings, but the Pacers also need enough structure around those drives to give him somewhere useful to go with the ball.

That means clear spacing, purposeful cuts, and teammates presenting passing targets before the defense closes. Indiana cannot afford to spend much of the shot clock deciding how to begin a possession.

Braden Smith could also receive a larger opportunity. For a young guard, the useful first step is getting the group into its actions and making the available pass. The surrounding players need to help by moving decisively and avoiding possessions where everyone waits for the ball handler to solve the defense.

Walker and Oubre have work available

Siakam’s absence removes another player who can initiate offense and create a shot late in the clock. That increases the importance of Walker and Oubre making productive decisions when the ball reaches them.

Walker has an opportunity to contribute through his passing as well as his scoring. I’d like to see him receive the ball with movement already developing around him, particularly when Atlanta commits extra attention to the guards.

Oubre can help by cutting behind defenders and attacking openings before they disappear. With so many regulars unavailable, Indiana needs those straightforward scoring opportunities rather than a succession of difficult individual attempts.

The frontcourt also needs to help organize possessions. Huff’s shooting can pull a defender away from the basket, but the other four players have to recognize and use the resulting space.

Atlanta has its own concerns

The Hawks arrive at 3–4 after losing four of their past five games. Their latest defeat was 121–99 in New Orleans on Saturday, where Jalen Johnson sprained his left ankle and Jock Landale suffered a hip injury.

Johnson’s availability matters to how Atlanta operates. If he plays, Indiana has to account for a forward who can advance the ball, attack the paint, and create opportunities for teammates.

Regardless of his status, the Pacers need to stay connected to Atlanta’s perimeter scorers and limit the number of possessions that require emergency help. On a night with so few players available, unnecessary fouls would make the rotation even more difficult to manage.

There should also be an emphasis on finishing defensive possessions. A successful contest only helps if Indiana secures the rebound and gives itself an opportunity to attack before Atlanta gets set.

Who’s available?

As of the NBA’s 3:30 p.m. ET report, Indiana lists Nembhard out for cervical injury management, Nesmith out for left hamstring injury management, and Siakam out for rest.

Haliburton, McConnell, Zubac, Sheppard, and Furphy remain out. Nance is doubtful with an illness, and Toppin is questionable with a lumbar sprain.

Atlanta lists Jalen Johnson as questionable with his ankle sprain. Landale, Mouhamed Gueye, and Henri Veesaar are out, while Kingston Flemings is serving a league suspension.

Tonight’s details

Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
When: Monday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Watch: DAZN locally; NBA League Pass out of market.

Tonight will ask a great deal of Indiana’s available group. I’m looking for organized possessions, coordinated rebounding, and players using the opportunity to show they can handle more responsibility. Keeping the game competitive will require those contributions throughout the rotation.

What are you watching for against Atlanta?

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