The Charlotte Hornets visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, February 26, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Charlotte enters at 28-31, sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, while Indiana is 15-44 and 15th in the standings. The teams have met twice this season, and Indiana won both matchups, 127-118 on November 19 and 114-112 on January 8.
The Hornets are on a two-game road winning streak after beating Chicago 131-99 on February 24 and Washington 129-112 on February 22. Indiana has dropped four straight games, including home losses to Philadelphia and Dallas this week.
Charlotte’s injury report is relatively light. Tosan Evbuomwan, PJ Hall, Antonio Reeves and Tidjane Salaun are all out due to G League assignments or two-way status, while Liam McNeeley is sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
The core rotation remains intact for the Hornets. Brandon Miller leads the team with 20.6 points per game, followed by LaMelo Ball at 19.4 points and 7.3 assists, and Kon Knueppel at 19.3 points on 48.9% shooting and 43.6% from three.
Miles Bridges adds 18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, giving Charlotte four players averaging at least 18 points.
Indiana’s injury report is significantly longer and could shape the matchup. Tyrese Haliburton is out with a right Achilles tendon tear, and Johnny Furphy is out with a right ACL tear.
Pascal Siakam, who averages 23.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, is listed as doubtful with a left wrist sprain. Aaron Nesmith is out with a right ankle sprain, and center Ivica Zubac is sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
Andrew Nembhard, averaging 17.4 points and 7.4 assists, is questionable due to lower back injury management. Obi Toppin is questionable with a right foot stress fracture, while Quenton Jackson, Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson carry questionable tags related to two-way status.
Without Haliburton, the Pacers have relied more heavily on Nembhard as a primary initiator. T.J. McConnell has also played a key reserve role, averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 assists in 16.9 minutes per game.
Charlotte ranks 16-15 on the road and has won seven of its last 10 games, while Indiana is 10-20 at home.
