Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers (Image via Getty) The Cleveland Cavaliers (12-9) and the Indiana Pacers (4-16) collide on December 1, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a matchup defined almost entirely by injuries. With both teams missing key contributors across multiple positions, this meeting has shifted from a standard early-season clash to a battle of survival. Cleveland enters the night riding a three-game losing streak, capped by a painful collapse against Boston, while Indiana arrives with a rare dose of confidence after securing back-to-back wins.This game offers a unique dynamic: both teams are severely shorthanded, both are struggling to find consistency, and both are leaning heavily on star players who are logging massive workloads. That combination sets the stage for a gritty contest where bench players, two-way contracts, and rookies may swing the momentum more than ever. Fans expecting pristine basketball should brace for a chaotic showdown packed with unpredictable runs, high-effort hustle plays, and plenty of late-game improvisation.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report vs the Cleveland Cavaliers (December 1, 2025)
Indiana Pacers’ injury situation has remained virtually unchanged, and the consistency comes for the wrong reasons. The Pacers continue to operate without several key depth pieces, many of whom have been out for extended periods. The biggest blow remains the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an Achilles tear in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. Without the franchise playmaker, Indiana’s pace and offensive rhythm have slowed dramatically.Among their additional setbacks, Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain), Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), and Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction) all remain out. Aaron Nesmith’s left knee injury will keep him out for at least another month, while Obi Toppin continues rehabbing a right foot partial stress fracture expected to sideline him for roughly three months. These injuries have stretched Indiana’s rotation thin, forcing Pascal Siakam (23.9 PPG) and Bennedict Mathurin (22.2 PPG in nine games) to carry the scoring burden while the supporting cast attempts to stabilize a disrupted lineup.
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report vs the Indiana Pacers (December 1, 2025)
Cleveland Cavaliers are in no better shape, entering this matchup with an injury list that has ballooned to six players. The Cavaliers’ backcourt has been hit especially hard as both Darius Garland and Lonzo Ball are unavailable. Their absence puts massive pressure on Donovan Mitchell, who has been averaging a heavy 29.9 points per game and now must shoulder even more of the offensive playmaking duties.The frontcourt is also depleted. Jarrett Allen continues to miss action with a right finger strain – his fifth absence in the last six games due to a non-displaced fracture expected to keep him out for about a week. Sharpshooter Sam Merrill is out for the seventh straight game with a right-hand sprain, Larry Nance Jr. is missing his second in a row with a Grade 1 calf strain set to keep him out three to four weeks, and Max Strus still hasn’t made his season debut following offseason left-foot surgery. Here’s the full breakdown:
Clevaland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Player Injury Status (December 1, 2025)
PlayerInjuryStatusNotes Jarrett Allen Right finger strain OUT (5th in last 6 games) Non-displaced fracture; out ~1 week Lonzo Ball Illness (after knee management) OUT Averaging 5.9 PPG, 5.1 APG in 16 games Darius Garland Toe (injury management) OUT Putting up 16 PPG, 8.3 APG since Nov. 21 return; offseason toe surgery still impacting movement Sam Merrill Right hand sprain OUT (7th straight) Averaging 13.9 PPG as one of Cleveland’s best shooters Larry Nance Jr. Calf strain OUT (2nd straight) Grade 1 strain suffered vs. Atlanta; expected to miss 3–4 weeks Max Strus Left foot (post-surgery) OUT Has not played this season
How These Injuries Shape the Game Tonight
Both teams are entering without their primary rim protectors – Allen for Cleveland Cavaliers and Toppin for Indiana Pacers – and both are without top playmakers in Haliburton, Garland, and Ball. The result could be a messy, turnover-heavy contest where structure gives way to improvisation. Cleveland will rely heavily on Mitchell to generate offense, while Indiana leans on Siakam and Mathurin for scoring spark and leadership.Given these circumstances, the spotlight could shift to players normally buried in the rotation. Rookie guards, two-way talents, and emergency call-ups are likely to see elevated roles. One name to watch closely is Cleveland’s Craig Porter Jr., who has shown flashes of becoming a dependable spark plug off the bench. With both squads depleted, this matchup is primed to deliver unpredictable runs, scrappy play, and the type of underdog energy that keeps fans glued from tip-off to final buzzer.
What to Expect in Tonights Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Game
While this may not be the cleanest basketball of the season, it could deliver some of the most entertaining drama. Both teams are desperate for a stabilizing win – Cleveland to halt its skid and Indiana to build on newfound momentum. Injuries may dominate the headlines, but they also open the door for unexpected heroics and breakout moments. Whether it’s a role player stepping up or a star doing the heavy lifting, this game promises intensity, chaos, and the kind of uncertainty that makes the NBA unpredictable at its best.