Pacers' depleted roster faces test against in-form Memphis

The Indiana Pacers were scheduled to visit the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, with their available roster again a major concern. Indiana had used just six players in Monday’s 108-104 home loss to Atlanta, its fifth straight defeat, but could have had reinforcements for the Memphis game.

Kelly Oubre Jr., Obi Toppin and Ivica Zubac were all listed as questionable after missing the Atlanta game. Oubre was a late withdrawal because of a bruised knee, while Zubac had played only three games this season and had not appeared since 25 October.

Indiana’s six-man night

Eleven Pacers players were unavailable against Atlanta. All six who played logged at least 34 minutes and scored in double figures, including second-round rookie guard Braden Smith, who finished with 19 points and 10 assists in 42 minutes.

According to NBA.com, it was the first time in 22 years that Indiana had used so few players in a game. Pascal Siakam was rested for the second game of a back-to-back, while Larry Nance Jr. missed out through illness.

Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell, Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy were also ruled out of the Memphis game. Their absences left the Pacers waiting on the status of Oubre, Toppin and Zubac as they prepared to face one of the season’s early front-runners.

Memphis’ strong start

The Grizzlies entered the meeting at 6-1, having been the last NBA team to lose this season. Their first defeat came on Monday, a 135-134 overtime loss to New Orleans in which guard Ty Jerome scored 40 points.

Jerome was averaging 28.2 points per game, while rookie Cameron Boozer had posted averages of 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists. Boozer recorded 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in Memphis’ win at Portland on 29 October.

Memphis listed reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr. as out and backup centre Quentin Post as questionable for the Pacers game.

What comes next

Indiana had lost its previous five games in Memphis, with its last win there coming on 11 April 2021. After the Grizzlies fixture, the Pacers’ next scheduled game is against Denver in Mexico City on Saturday.