The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight at 3–8, still looking for their first home win. Washington arrives at 4–7 with four straight losses, giving us two teams that could use a positive evening. Indiana is 0–4 at home so far. Getting that first win would be a welcome start to this stretch back in Indianapolis.

What happened in Dallas

Monday’s 125–122 loss was frustrating because Indiana played well enough offensively to win. The Pacers shot 52.4% from the field and 42.9% from three, taking a 66–56 lead into halftime behind an outstanding start from Pascal Siakam.

Siakam scored twenty-six in the first half, making eight of nine shots and five threes. He finished with twenty-nine points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Dallas did a much better job limiting his scoring after the break, while Indiana couldn’t find a sufficient answer for Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

Flagg finished with forty-three points, ten rebounds, and six assists. Irving added thirty-five and made seven of ten threes. Their shotmaking turned a game Indiana had controlled into another close loss.

The Pacers still had a chance to tie on the final possession, but Caleb Martin disrupted the inbound play before Indiana could get a shot away.

I’m encouraged by the offense, but a night like that also makes the result harder to accept. Indiana got a terrific performance from its best available player and still came home with another loss.

Washington’s new group

Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and AJ Dybantsa make this a considerably different Washington team from the one we became accustomed to seeing.

Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. Young leads the Wizards with 8.7 assists per game, while Dybantsa has averaged 16.7 points through his first seven appearances. Kyshawn George deserves attention, too: he’s contributing 17.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. There are several players here who can make Indiana pay for concentrating too heavily on the first option.

I’m most interested in how the Pacers handle Young and Davis together. Young’s passing makes an early commitment from the defense dangerous, particularly when Davis can catch near the basket. Indiana’s guards will need to stay involved through screens so the bigs aren’t repeatedly left choosing between the ball handler and the receiver.

Getting Siakam help

I’d like to see Indiana make Washington defend Siakam in several different situations, rather than asking him to reproduce Monday’s first-half shooting.

That could mean giving him the ball closer to the basket, involving him as a screener, or letting him attack after the defense has already moved.

There should be opportunities against this defense. Washington has allowed at least 114 points in each of its last four games. Indiana needs to make those possessions demanding throughout the game, especially during the minutes when Siakam rests.

Who’s available?

As of the NBA’s 1:15 p.m. ET injury report:

  • Out: Tyrese Haliburton — left hamstring strain. Johnny Furphy — right ACL surgery. Ben Sheppard — left meniscus surgery.
  • Questionable: T.J. McConnell — right hamstring strain.

Washington lists Reece Beekman, Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic, and Jamir Watkins out.

Tonight’s details

Opponent: Washington Wizards
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Watch: DAZN locally
Listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

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