Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game Preview
Following a hard-fought victory in the first-ever In-Season Tournament game, the Pacers (3-2) aim to sweep a home back-to-back as they face off against the Charlotte Hornets (1-3) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers’ In-Season Tournament matchup with Cleveland had an intense playoff-like atmosphere, thrilling those in attendance. Indiana built a 17-point lead at halftime, only to surrender it in the third quarter. However, they managed to make crucial plays down the stretch, resulting in a 121-116 triumph over the Cavs.
Myles Turner broke free from a shooting slump with a remarkable 27-point performance, shooting 9-for-14 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, guiding the Blue & Gold to victory.
All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton struggled with his shot but contributed 13 assists and hit two clutch buckets when it mattered most, securing the win. However, Haliburton will be eager for a better shooting performance on Saturday, having made only one of his last 13 attempts from beyond the arc in his previous two games.
The Hornets, well-rested for Saturday’s game, last played on Wednesday in Houston. They have been in Indianapolis since Thursday, practicing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday.
Charlotte is seeking their first win since their season opener. They began the season with a 116-110 victory over Atlanta on Oct. 25 but have since suffered three consecutive defeats.
Terry Rozier currently leads the Hornets in scoring, averaging 22 points per game. Point guard LaMelo Ball, an All-Star in 2022 but limited to 36 games due to injury last season, has returned to the court and is averaging 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Bruce Brown, F – Bennedict Mathurin, F – Obi Toppin, C – Myles Turner
Hornets: G – LaMelo Ball, G – Terry Rozier, F – Gordon Hayward, F – P.J. Washington, C – Mark Williams
Injury Report
Hornets: James Bouknight – out (left knee surgery), Miles Bridges – out (league suspension), Cody Martin – out (left knee injury recovery), Frank Ntilikina – out (left tibia non-displaced fracture)
Last Meeting
March 20, 2023: The Pacers relinquished a 21-point first-half lead in a 115-109 loss to the Hornets in Charlotte. The Hornets closed the game with a 19-4 run over the final six minutes to secure the victory.
Myles Turner and Buddy Hield led Indiana with 20 points apiece in the loss, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 18. Isaiah Jackson came off the bench with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds.
In the victory, all five Hornets starters scored in double figures, with three players surpassing the 20-point mark. Kelly Oubre Jr. recorded a game-high 28 points, Terry Rozier added 23 points and nine assists, and Gordon Hayward contributed 22 points.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers won the season series against Charlotte last season, 2-1, after the Hornets claimed the series in both 2020-21 and 2021-22.
- Saturday’s game concludes the first of 13 back-to-backs on the schedule this season for the Blue & Gold. Five of these back-to-backs feature two home games.
- Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is one win away from his 900th career victory. He will become the 14th coach in NBA history, and the second active coach after San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, to achieve this milestone.
- Pacers guard Buddy Hield has made 1,719 career 3-pointers, tying him with Dale Ellis for 28th place in NBA history.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – 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 welcome Gordon Hayward and the Charlotte Hornets to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 PM ET.
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