Mavericks Face Pacers in Indiana's 2026-27 Home Opener

The Indiana Pacers hosted the Dallas Mavericks for their 2026-27 home schedule debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Both teams entered the matchup looking to build momentum early in the regular season after contrasting results in their opening games.

Indiana opened its campaign earlier in the week with a thrilling 123-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Pascal Siakam led the charge for the Pacers with 30 points and eight rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton delivered a standout performance with 23 points and 12 assists in his first regular-season appearance since recovering from an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the 2025 NBA Finals. Additional contributions came from Ivica Zubac, who posted 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Obi Toppin, who added 20 points off the bench.

The Mavericks traveled to Indianapolis aiming to rebound from a tough 128-110 defeat against the Houston Rockets. Despite the opening-night loss, rookie Cooper Flagg delivered an impressive 32-point performance, while Kyrie Irving returned from a long injury layoff to contribute 15 points. Dallas swept both head-to-head meetings against the Pacers during the previous season.

Ahead of the contest, roster updates highlighted several lineup adjustments for the Pacers. Coach Rick Carlisle announced that Ben Sheppard could miss multiple weeks due to a left meniscus injury. Meanwhile, forward Aaron Nesmith returned to action after missing the season opener with a hamstring strain, while fourth-year forward Jarace Walker earned a start at small forward.

The Mavericks faced their own roster limitations entering the matchup. Players such as Dereck Lively II, Caleb Martin, Jett Howard, Tarik Biberovic, and Santi Aldama were listed on the injury report following the team's opening loss in Houston.

As the game got underway, the Mavericks jumped out to an aggressive start, building a commanding lead behind strong shooting performances from Flagg, Irving, and Zaccharie Risacher. The Pacers struggled to find their offensive rhythm early against a dominant Dallas defense that capitalized on transition opportunities.

Fans tuned in across various regional platforms, with the game broadcast locally on DAZN in Indianapolis and KFAA in Dallas, alongside national radio and streaming options. Following Friday's matchup, the Mavericks prepare to return home to face the San Antonio Spurs.