The NBA Cup kicks off on Halloween as the Indiana Pacers host the Atlanta Hawks. The Pacers have been struggling as superstar Tyrese Haliburton is still out after getting injured in the NBA Finals last spring, while Atlanta is also missing its biggest star, Trae Young. So, who will start and who will be out for this first round NBA Cup matchup?
The Pacers are coming into the matchup more banged up than any other team in the NBA right now, with the team going on a signing spree to get players to make up for their injured starters and reserves. The biggest name signed is NBA Slam Dunk Contest champ Mac McClung, but the question is, can he stop Indiana’s losing streak?
Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers Injury Report:
Atlanta Hawks Injury Report
- Trae Young: Out (knee)
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
- Tyrese Haliburton: Out for the entire season (Achilles)
- TJ McConnell: Out (hamstring)
- Kam Jones: Out (back)
- Obi Toppin: Out (hamstring)
- Benedict Mathurin: Out (toe)
- Andrew Nemhard: Out (shoulder)
- Johnny Furphy: Out (foot)
- Taelon Peter: Questionable (groin)
A total of eight Indiana Pacers are out as the injury bug bit the team hard, with the team still being winless despite their trip to the NBA Finals last year. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks are only missing Young, who may be coming back later this season, as opposed to Haliburton, who is projected to miss the entire 2025-2026 season dur to an Achilles tendon tear.
Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks
- PG: Nickeil Alexander Walker
- SG: Dyson Daniels
- SG: Zaccharie Risacher
- PF: Jalen Johnson
- C: Kristaps Porzingis
Indiana Pacers
- PG: Ben Sheppard
- SG: Quentin Jackson
- SF: Aaron Nesmith
- PF: Pascal Siakam
- C: Isiah Jackson
Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
Despite missing their top star in Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks are heading to the matchup against the Indiana Pacers for the group stage of the NBA Cup as the -2.5 favorites. Given that the Pacers are pretty banged up right now, those odds are not that surprising. The Hawks are 2-3 for the season while the Pacers are 0-4, which gives the Hawks the edge in momentum.
That being said, it should be safe to say that the Hawks would be winning this one, as their opponents are a lot more hurt and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
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