(PACERS PRESS RELEASE)
The 2026-27 Pacers season is officially underway after Indiana grabbed a down-to-the-wire win in New Orleans on Wednesday, 123-120, and returns to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for its home opener against Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 23.
Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 30 points and eight rebounds in New Orleans, Ivica Zubac recorded his first double-double in Blue and Gold with 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton returned to the court after 16 months of injury rehab. Haliburton also notched a double-double as he scored 23 points and dished out 12 assists in the win over the Pelicans.
“Tyrese played extremely well,” coach Rick Carlisle said after Wednesday’s game. “First time he’s played over 30 minutes in 16 and a half months…He made huge plays throughout the game, but particularly down the stretch…That kind of competitive presence, leadership, and belief is just something that just bleeds out to everyone. It’s huge to have him back.”
With Haliburton back at the helm, the Pacers are 1-0 heading into a clash with the reigning Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg, and the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 games for the Mavericks last season. Dallas finished the season with a 26-56 record after battling injuries to key players.
Dallas lost its season opener to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday,128-110, but Flagg did not disappoint. The second year forward scored 32 points on 10-for-17 shooting in Houston, and was 11-for-13 from the free throw line. Indiana will look to limit his attempts from the charity stripe in Friday’s contest.
The Mavericks also roster Kyrie Irving, who returns this season following a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2025-26 season. Irving recorded 15 points in Dallas’ opener, and gives the Mavericks a true playmaker at the point guard position to complement Flagg’s point forward abilities.
Following the clash with the Mavericks, the Pacers embark on a two-game road trip. They’ll make stops in Brooklyn and Milwaukee before returning to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Oct. 28 to host LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Probable Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Kelly Oubre Jr., F – Pascal Siakam, C – Ivica Zubac
Mavericks: G – Kyrie Irving, G – Max Christie, F – Cooper Flagg, F – P.J. Washington, C – Daniel Gafford
Injury Report
Pacers: Johnny Furphy – out (right ACL repair/surgery), T.J. McConnell – out (right hamstring strain), Aaron Nesmith – out (left hamstring strain)
Mavericks: Santi Aldama – questionable (right knee surgery), Tarik Biberovic – questionable (right heel bursitis), Jett Howard – questionable (right calf tightness), Caleb Martin – questionable (right thumb sprain), Dereck Lively II – out (right foot surgery)
Last Meeting
Feb. 22, 2026: Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 30 points, but the Pacers couldn’t overcome the Mavericks in Gainbridge Fieldhouse and fell to Dallas, 134-130.
Indiana made 20 3-pointers and shot 50 percent from the field in the matchup. Jarace Walker knocked down four of his six tries from deep, and four other Pacers made at least three triples. Dallas shot 54 percent from the field and dominated the paint although Indiana was dialed in from beyond the arc.
Khris Middleton scored 25 points to lead the Mavericks, and P.J. Washington notched 23 points. Siakam grabbed eight rebounds and recorded three assists alongside his 30-point outing, and Andrew Nembhard recorded a 22-point, 11-assist double-double.
Indiana tallied 37 assists on 50 made field goals, but committed a costly 16 turnovers. Dallas converted those turnovers into 19 points as the Mavericks stole a win in Indiana.
Noteworthy
The Pacers are 40-49 against the Mavericks all-time.
Indiana will play Dallas just twice this season. Once on Friday, and again in Dallas in November.
Rick Carlisle coached the Dallas Mavericks for 13 seasons (2008-2021). He led the 2011 Mavericks team that won the NBA title.
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) were both inactive for Wednesday’s season opener. Johnny Furphy continues to rehab a right ACL tear sustained in February.
Broadcast Information (Where to Watch and Listen to Pacers Games >>)
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 (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers will take the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time in the regular season when they host Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks for Opening Night presented by Kroger on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 PM ET.
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