Indiana Pacers Kick Off 2024-25 NBA Season Against Detroit Pistons

The Indiana Pacers are set to begin their 2024-25 NBA season with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, October 23, at Little Caesars Arena. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, marks the opening night for both teams.

Heading into the season, the Pacers have finalized their roster, making several key decisions. Notably, they did not extend the contract of Isaiah Jackson, who was eligible for an extension. This move is part of the Pacers’ broader strategy to manage their salary cap, as they have already committed significant funds to other players. The team has picked up the contract options for Ben Mathurin, Jalen Smith, and Kendall Brown for the 2025-26 season, ensuring a substantial portion of their salary cap is already allocated.

The Pacers also waived Cole Swider, who had a non-guaranteed contract. This decision was part of a tight roster battle, with the team opting not to fill the 15th roster spot. Swider has since signed a two-way contract with the Pistons, meaning he will be on the floor for the season opener but not as a member of the Pacers.

The Detroit Pistons, meanwhile, will be without two key players for the opener. Ausar Thompson, a second-year wing, is recovering from blood clots and does not have a target return date. Rookie Bobi Klintman will also miss the start of the regular season due to a calf injury he sustained during the preseason.

Despite these absences, the Pistons have shown promising defensive performance in the preseason, with a fourth-best defensive rating in the league. This could pose a significant challenge for the Pacers, particularly in containing players like Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris).