The Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers both enter Wednesday’s matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse dealing with key injuries, raising questions about rotations and available scoring options. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Charlotte will be without Brandon Miller (left shoulder subluxation), Josh Green (left shoulder surgery), and Grant Williams (right knee surgery). Tre Mann is listed as doubtful with left ankle soreness, while Liam McNeeley is out with illness and Tidjane Salaun remains on a G League assignment.
Miles Bridges leads the Hornets at 22.1 points per game, followed closely by LaMelo Ball at 22.0 points and 9.6 assists per game. Moussa Diabate tops Charlotte in rebounding at 7.9 per contest.
Indiana is missing Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tear), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture), Aaron Nesmith (left knee MCL sprain), Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain), and Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction).
The Pacers’ lineup will rely on Bennedict Mathurin, who is averaging 29.0 points per game, and Pascal Siakam at 24.9 points per game.
Both teams have struggled recently. Charlotte lost its last two games, falling 110-108 to Toronto on November 17 and 109-96 to Oklahoma City on November 15. Indiana has also dropped consecutive contests, including a 127-112 loss to Detroit and 129-111 to Toronto over the same span.
Statistically, the Hornets’ floor leadership comes from LaMelo Ball, who also contributes 9.6 assists per game, while Bridges provides scoring and rebounding versatility. For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard leads in assists (6.1 APG) and contributes 17.6 points per game, while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl anchors the boards with 6.7 rebounds per contest.
The game marks the first meeting of the 2025-26 season between these Eastern Conference teams.
