Game Preview: Pacers vs. Warriors
The Indiana Pacers (20-18) look to keep their momentum going as they host the Golden State Warriors (19-18) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night. Indiana has been on fire to start 2025, winning four straight games, leading for 177 minutes in those contests and trailing for just six. The Pacers are coming off a dominant 129-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls, where Thomas Bryant stepped up with 22 points and eight rebounds in place of Myles Turner, who was sidelined due to illness.
The Pacers also have a chance to sweep the season series against the Warriors after a 111-105 win at Golden State on December 23. In that game, Indiana’s defense, led by Andrew Nembhard, held Stephen Curry to just 10 points on 2-of-13 shooting. Curry, who struggled at times in December but has since regained his scoring form, will be a key focus for the Pacers again.
This game will also mark the return of Buddy Hield, a former fan favorite in Indiana, who now plays for the Warriors after a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. Hield was instrumental in the Pacers’ offense during his two seasons with the team, making over 500 three-pointers in just 158 games. Now with Golden State, Hield is averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc.
Projected Starters:
Pacers:
- G: Tyrese Haliburton
- G: Andrew Nembhard
- F: Bennedict Mathurin
- F: Pascal Siakam
- C: Thomas Bryant
Warriors:
- G: Stephen Curry
- G: Dennis Schröder
- F: Buddy Hield
- F: Draymond Green
- C: Trayce Jackson-Davis
Injury Report:
Pacers:
- Tyrese Haliburton – questionable (right ankle sprain)
- Myles Turner – questionable (illness)
- Isaiah Jackson – out (torn right Achilles tendon)
- Aaron Nesmith – out (left ankle sprain)
- James Wiseman – out (torn left Achilles tendon)
Warriors:
- Stephen Curry – questionable (left knee inflammation)
- Draymond Green – questionable (left ankle sprain)
- Moses Moody – questionable (left knee patellar tendonopathy)
- Dennis Schröder – questionable (left hip contusion)
- Jonathan Kuminga – out (right ankle sprain)
- Gary Payton II – out (left calf strain)
- Brandin Podziemski – out (right abdominal injury management)
- Andrew Wiggins – out (personal reasons)
Last Meeting:
On December 23, 2024, the Pacers earned a 111-105 win over the Warriors at Golden State. Myles Turner led the way with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, including a clutch three-pointer late in the game. Tyrese Haliburton added 16 points and 12 assists, while Pascal Siakam contributed 20 points. Jonathan Kuminga was the standout for Golden State with 26 points off the bench.
Noteworthy:
- This will be the first of five Pacers games this season to be broadcast free over-the-air on WTHR.
- While the Pacers have won six straight road games against Golden State, the Warriors have had more success in Indiana, winning four of their last five and six of the last eight games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- If Myles Turner plays on Friday, he needs just two blocks to surpass Terry Tyler for 48th place on the NBA’s all-time blocks list.
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, a former Indiana University star and son of long-time Pacer Dale Davis, is in his second season with the Warriors.
Broadcast Information:
TV: WTHR/FanDuel Sports Network
- 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 host the Warriors on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Find Tickets >>
