The day is finally here! Tonight, the Indiana Pacers kick off their highly anticipated 2024-2025 NBA season. Fresh off their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in a decade, the Pacers are eager to show the basketball world that they are a legitimate threat to appear in the NBA Finals next year.

However, Indiana is having a rough stretch to start the season. 11 of their first 13 opponents were all playoff teams last season. This includes a game against the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, the two teams that faced off in the NBA Finals in June.

However, the Pacers are expected to face some of these teams at less than full health, making the start of the season just a little easier for the Pacers.

10/23 @ Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson (illness)

After his solid rookie season was cut short, Thompson will take on a relatively large role in Detroit this season. However, Pistons fans will have to wait a little longer to see the forward in action again. Due to illness, Thompson has already been ruled out for tonight’s season opener. In his place, the Pistons will likely rely more heavily on Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and rookie Ron Holland.

10/25 @ New York Knicks: Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) / Mitchell Robinson (ankle)

The Knicks will be without two of their best big men on the roster as they take on the Pistons.

Achiuwa suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason finale in New York and is not expected to return until early November. As for Robinson, he is still recovering from an ankle injury that will officially keep him out for the start of the season. Robinson’s estimated return date is much longer than Achiuwa’s, as he could miss the remainder of the calendar year.

27/10 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid (knee) / Paul George (knee) (possible)

Due to a knee injury, Embiid has already been ruled out for their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. Additionally, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com, the 2023 MVP will not play in any games for Philadelphia during the first week of the season. This will rule him out for the 76ers’ game at Indiana, the Pacers’ first home game of the season.

Additionally, George has also been ruled out for Philadelphia’s regular season opener due to a knee injury. However, his return timeline is less clear than Embiid’s. It is not certain that he will miss this match against his former team, but there is no guarantee the other way around either. His status is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the coming days.

10/30 vs. Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis (foot)

In a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers will once again face the Celtics without Porzingis. The Latvian underwent foot surgery due to an injury he suffered during the NBA finals. Although he has made good progress, Porzingis is not expected to return to court until December.

11/4 @ Dallas Mavericks: Dante Exum (wrist)

Earlier this month, Exum underwent surgery on his right wrist. The guard, who enjoyed a career resurgence in Dallas last season, is expected to be out of action until the end of January.