Pacers Set to Face Shorthanded Nets Team in Rematch

Can Indiana cruise to its second victory over Brooklyn in three nights?

Mar 20, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (1) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

As the tanking Brooklyn Nets start sitting even more bodies ahead of a full-fledged 2025 NBA Draft lottery push, can the Indiana Pacers cruise to their second victory over Brooklyn in three nights?

With Saturday's rematch looming following a Thursday overtime win, Brooklyn has already downgraded starting point guard D'Angelo Russell, who will sit with a sore right ankle. Starting swingman Ziaire Williams has also seen his status downgraded to questionable with a tight right hamstring.

D’Angelo Russell (right ankle soreness) is OUT tomorrow at Indiana.

Ziaire Williams (right hamstring tightness) is questionable.

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 21, 2025

Sharpshooting swingman Cam Thomas is also already shelved, as he's been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury of his own.

On Thursday, Indiana outlasted the feisty Nets (with Williams and Russell in tow) in a low-scoring, 105-99 overtime rock fight.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Williams and Russell were the Nets' high scorers in that contest, chipping in 22 points apiece.

Russell netted his on a typically inefficient 7-of-22 shooting from the field (3-of-12 from deep), plus 5-of-6 shooting from the foul line. The one-time All-Star also chipped in six assists, a rebound and a steal in 32:22 of action.

Williams notched his 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor (6-of-12 from long range), while also pulling down five rebounds, swiping two steals and dishing out one dime.

Only one other Nets player, forward Trendon Watford, scored in double digits against Indiana, logging 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor and 2-of-4 shooting from the charity stripe.

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Third-year Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin — starting in the stead of injured All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton — led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor (2-of-4 from distance) and 6-of-7 shooting from the foul line, plus a game-most 16 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 Arizona product also recorded three assists and two steals in the effort.

"The guy put a will on the game that was a big difference-maker," Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said regarding Mathurin's outburst, per CBS Sports. "We have a lot to consider before Saturday. There were a lot of things we did not do well that we have to fix."

Haliburton, troublingly, is also questionable to suit up against Brooklyn on Saturday.

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In claiming victory over Brooklyn, Indiana notched its third straight win and its fifth victory across its last six bouts. The Pacers are in the midst of a five-game homestand.

The Nets fell to 23-47 with their Thursday loss. They've gone 3-13 since the All-Star break, but remain just 6.5 games behind the No. 10-seeded Miami Heat for a shot at the play-in tournament, for which the team's front office absolutely does not want the team to qualify. They have lost six heartbreaking games by six points or less since just March 8.

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For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.