The Pacers needed a better performance after Friday’s loss to Dallas. They delivered one in Brooklyn, beating the Nets 136–109 to move to 2–1.

Tonight brings a quick turnaround in Milwaukee and a change to the frontcourt. Ivica Zubac is out with a left ankle sprain, leaving Indiana to build on Sunday’s progress without its starting center.

What happened in Brooklyn

Haliburton finished with twenty-four points and ten assists, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 4-for-7 from three. Siakam added twenty-one points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Toppin contributed sixteen. Indiana made twenty-one of forty-three threes and shot 57.6% overall.

The shooting helped create the margin, but the distribution of the offense was encouraging, too. Seven Pacers reached double figures, with Nembhard, Huff, Oubre, and Nesmith joining those three.

That’s closer to the offense we want to see: Haliburton creating openings, Siakam contributing as both a scorer and passer, and several teammates involved enough to punish the defense when the ball reaches them.

Brooklyn also received just ten points apiece from Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle. After allowing Dallas to establish such a comfortable rhythm on Friday, Indiana did a better job limiting the players most capable of sustaining the opposing offense.

The Nets were playing their second game in two nights, and their defensive resistance deteriorated as the game progressed. There are limits to what we should conclude from the result. Still, Indiana took advantage and finished with the kind of convincing win it needed.

Zubac’s injury changes the rotation

Zubac sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative, but he left the arena on crutches and has since been ruled out against Milwaukee.

His absence affects more than rebounding. Indiana loses a substantial screener, an interior target, and the player around whom it has spent much of camp developing its half-court offense.

Huff and Nance handled the center minutes after he departed. Huff finished with fourteen points, three assists, and three blocks in roughly twenty-one minutes, making five of six shots, including two threes.

Huff’s shooting gives Haliburton a different option after the screen. If Milwaukee’s center stays near the basket, the pass back to the perimeter becomes available. If he follows Huff outside, Indiana needs to recognize the space that opens behind him.

Nance offers another way to keep possessions moving through his passing and decisions. Carlisle can also use Siakam or Toppin at center, though smaller groups will need everyone involved in finishing defensive possessions.

Milwaukee is still looking for its first win

The Bucks enter at 0–3 under Taylor Jenkins, having lost to Washington, Chicago, and Philadelphia. They have allowed 129 points per game through that opening stretch.

There should be opportunities for Indiana’s offense, particularly if the Pacers can get into their actions early and make Milwaukee defend more than one movement. Sunday’s three-point percentage will be difficult to repeat. The more useful carryover would be creating another evening of good attempts through penetration, passing, and coordinated movement.

Milwaukee’s latest loss was 127–116 against Philadelphia. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored twenty-one points, and Kel’el Ware added nineteen points and thirteen rebounds.

Ware’s activity is worth watching with Zubac unavailable. Indiana needs its replacement centers to contest shots without leaving the rest of the group exposed on the glass. The wings will have to help secure rebounds before releasing into transition.

On the perimeter, Tyler Herro requires attention through screens and handoffs. Letting him turn the corner comfortably would force Indiana’s big men into difficult choices between containing the ball and protecting the basket.

What I’m watching tonight

The first priority is how the revised frontcourt functions defensively. Huff can protect the rim, but Indiana needs to limit the number of possessions where he is trying to cover both the ball handler and a rolling big man.

I’m also interested in the offense when Haliburton rests. With McConnell still unavailable, Nembhard and the reserve ball handlers need to maintain enough organization to keep Siakam, Toppin, and the centers involved.

Finally, there’s the response to a less productive shooting stretch. Brooklyn gave Indiana room to build confidence. If the early threes don’t fall tonight, the Pacers need to continue generating paint touches and moving the defense rather than allowing missed shots to dictate their pace.

Who’s available?

Along with Zubac, Indiana remains without McConnell, Sheppard, and Furphy. Haliburton said after Sunday’s game that he plans to play the second night of the back-to-back. Milwaukee’s latest report lists no injuries.

Blind Resume Quiz

Back by popular demand. Another chance to prove your historical Pacers knowledge. So far the quizzes have either been too hard or too easy. Let's hope this one is goldilocks difficulty.

Offseason Blind Résumé · No. 5
Name the Pacer
Five clues, revealed one at a time. Lock a guess or pass — either way, you can't come back to it. Earlier you call it, more it's worth.
Clue 1 of 5 · worth 50

Locked answers are final. A wrong guess costs 5 and you keep going.

Standings

  1. Kahonu - 175 pts
  2. NortheastNightmare - 100 pts
  3. Infinityzero.Systemerror - 100 pts
  4. Life in Paradise - 100 pts
  5. Hoosiers47 - 105
  6. DetlefBest - 100 pts
  7. Full Sail - 100 pts
  8. Rubalamp - 80 pts
  9. BillyNightNight - 65 pts
  10. RandomPacersFan - 0 pts

Tonight’s details

Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks
When: Monday, October 26, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Watch: DAZN
Listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

Sunday was a useful response to a poor home opener. Tonight is an opportunity to show that the improved execution can travel through a lineup change and a tighter schedule.

What are you watching for against Milwaukee?

Tagged in:

Game Thread