Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 8:00 PM ET at FedEx Forum
Game Preview
The Pacers (2-6) head to Memphis on Wednesday for the start of a busy week of travel for the Blue & Gold. Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies (6-1) is the start of what is essentially a three-game road trip. After playing in Memphis, the Pacers will travel to Mexico City to take on the Nuggets in the NBA Mexico City Game 2026 on Saturday (Indiana is technically the home game for that contest) and then will head on to Dallas to play the Mavs on Monday.
The Blue & Gold have dropped five straight games, though Monday's loss to Atlanta had a different feeling than the first four. Indiana had just six available players, but fought the Hawks tooth and nail, coming up just short in a 108-104 loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. All six players — including the Pacers' three two-way players — played 34 or more minutes and reached double figures.
Rookie guard Braden Smith got his first career start and recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists in 42 minutes of action.
"This is the culture that I believe we have built here," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. "We have faltered this year at times. But the guys that were watching I think felt the power of what these six guys did tonight. Going forward, it will take nothing less than that."
Several of those guys watching should be back in the lineup on Wednesday, as starters Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Pascal Siakam are all set to return after being held out for injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. Obi Toppin (back), Larry Nance Jr. (illness), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) also could be available in Memphis. Starting center Ivica Zubac, who missed the last five games with a sprained ankle, also was upgraded to questionable on Tuesday's injury report.
The Grizzlies have been the surprise story of the start of the NBA season. Memphis reeled off six straight wins to open the year and were the league's last undefeated team before falling 135-134 in overtime to New Orleans on Monday night.
Memphis has been led by Ty Jerome, who is having a breakout season in his eighth NBA season (and with his fifth career team). Jerome scored 45 points in a season-opening win over Utah, then followed that performance with 31 points and 28 points in his next two games. His scoring dipped over the next two contests as he shot a combined 7-for-27 from the field, but he bounced back with 40 points on 14-of-22 shooting (5-of-6 from 3-point range) against the Pelicans. Jerome is averaging 28.2 points per game (currently sixth in the NBA) and 5.7 assists.
The Grizzlies also appear to have a future star in rookie forward Cam Boozer. The third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is off to an excellent start to his career, averaging 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists over his first seven career games.
Probable Starters
Pacers: G - Andrew Nembhard, G - Quenton Jackson, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Jay Huff
Grizzlies: G - Ty Jerome, G - Cedric Coward, F - Jaylen Wells, F - Cameron Boozer, C - Zach Edey
Injury Report
Pacers: Kelly Oubre Jr. - questionable (left calf contusion), Obi Toppin - questionable (lumbar sprain), Ivica Zubac - questionable (left ankle sprain), Johnny Furphy - out (right ACL repair/surgery), Tyrese Haliburton - out (left hamstring strain), T.J. McConnell - out (right hamstring strain), Ben Sheppard - out (left meniscus surgery)
Grizzlies: Quinten Post - questionable (right ankle sprain), Scotty Pippen Jr. - out (lumbar disc herniation)
Last Meeting
March 1, 2026: The Grizzlies beat the Pacers 125-106 in Memphis to sweep the season series with Indiana. Memphis outscored Indiana 34-23 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the victory.
Jarace Walker led Indiana with 21 points, going 8-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Micah Potter added 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Jay Huff scored 14 points.
Taylor Hendricks led Memphis with 19 points off the bench. Four other players scored 16 or more points in a balanced effort: Jaylen Wells (18), Olivier Maxence-Prosper (17), Scotty Pippen Jr. (16), and Rayan Rupert (16). Walter Clayton Jr. had seven points and dished out 14 assists for Memphis.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have lost five straight games in Memphis. Indiana's last win at FedEx Forum was on April 11, 2021.
- Jerome and Pacers center Jay Huff were teammates on the University of Virginia team that won a national championship in 2019.
- Smith and Grizzlies center Zach Edey were teammates on the Purdue University team that reached the national championship game in 2024.
- Siakam is 40 points away from reaching 13,000 career points. He will be the 235th player in NBA history to reach that milestone.
TV: DAZN — Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan — Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a three-game road trip, Indiana will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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