The Indiana Pacers have been hit with unfortunate injury news as they look to end their three-game losing streak against the lowly Washington Wizards for a meaningless Friday night Emirates NBA Cup clash (both clubs have already been eliminated), who like Indiana have only won two games all year.
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Per Indiana’s official X account and head coach Rick Carlisle, starting point guard Andrew Nembhard has been sidelined for the tilt due to a right quad contusion.
Andrew Nembhard (right quad contusion) is out for tonight’s game against the Wizards, per Coach Carlisle.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 28, 2025
Per Indiana, Ben Sheppard will inherit the starting point guard role in Nembhard’s stead. Two of Carlisle’s preferred long-term starters (two-time All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton remains done for the year with an Achilles tendon tear) — shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin, three-time All-Star power forward Pascal Siakam — will be available Friday night. Carlisle has been toggling starting centers, with floor-spacing big Jay Huff earning the nod now.
With normal starting small forward Aaron Nesmith shelved, 2023 lottery pick Jarace Walker has earned the starting role.
a new five tonight. pic.twitter.com/sykOabmWdw
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 29, 2025
The lowly Pacers sport a league-worst 2-16 record — with a win-loss rate just 0.7 percent worse, however, than the 2-15 Wizards.
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According to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, the (likely) lottery-bound Wizards will start veteran point guard C.J. McCollum, shooting guard Kyshawn George, former three-time All-Star small forward Khris Middleton, power forward Bilal Coulibaly, and second-year center Alex Sarr.
This story will be updated…
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