Pacers Face Timberwolves Amid Injuries and Playoff Pressure

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Pacers are set to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 17, 2025, following a challenging loss to the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend. As they aim to regain momentum in the playoff race, the Pacers will have to compete without key players, which could complicate their chances against one of the league’s hottest teams.

The Pacers enter the matchup with a 37-29 record, currently slotted as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. After a tough 126-119 defeat to Milwaukee, the team is just a half-game behind the Bucks for the No. 4 spot. With the regular season winding down, every game has heightened significance.

Unfortunately for Indiana, star guard Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out due to lower back soreness, and center Myles Turner will also miss the game due to a left hip injury. Turner, averaging 15.5 points and 1.8 blocks per game, has been a crucial player for the Pacers this season. His defensive prowess and ability to stretch the floor are vital to Indiana’s success.

Without Turner and Haliburton, the Pacers will likely lean heavily on T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard to handle the point guard duties. Additionally, forward Pascal Siakam is also out for personal reasons, an absence that further diminishes the team’s depth as he had averaged 20.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season.

Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the impact of these injuries. “We need to adapt quickly and rally as a team,” he said. “Everyone has to step up, especially on the defensive end, to help compensate for the missing pieces.” The Pacers are also dealing with injury management issues for Aaron Nesmith, who will not play, and rookie Johnny Furphy, who has been ruled out due to illness.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are riding a wave of confidence, having secured an impressive eight-game winning streak, currently marking the longest active streak in the NBA. They sit at the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, bolstered by All-Star Anthony Edwards, who recently scored 41 points in a 128-102 victory over the Utah Jazz.

“I didn’t even know I was that high on the list,” Edwards said, expressing disbelief at becoming the third all-time leading scorer for the Timberwolves.

Head coach Chris Finch will rely on the strong performances of Edwards and Julius Randle as they look to maintain their momentum against the shorthanded Pacers. “Our chemistry has been great lately, and we need to keep building on that,” Finch said.

The stakes are high for both teams as they navigate the crucial final stretch of the regular season. Indiana has learned to be resilient despite challenges, yet facing Minnesota without their stars poses a formidable test. As tip-off approaches, the Pacers will need a collective effort from their remaining players to stay competitive in this key matchup.

The Timberwolves, confident and healthy, will look to capitalize on Indiana’s vulnerabilities, aiming to extend their winning streak and improve their playoff positioning. This matchup is pivotal for both franchises, symbolizing the intense battles that lie ahead as they push for a playoff spot.