The high-flying New York Knicks travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on December 18, 2025, for a clash against the struggling Indiana Pacers. This NBA regular season game presents a stark contrast between two teams on opposite trajectories, heavily influenced by their respective injury situations.
Team Form and Season Context
The New York Knicks arrive with immense momentum, boasting an impressive 18-7 record and riding a six-game winning streak. Fresh off an NBA Cup championship, they have solidified their status as a genuine powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. In contrast, the Indiana Pacers' season has been a struggle, languishing with a 6-20 record. Their campaign has been derailed by a devastating series of long-term injuries that have forced a complete reshuffle of their identity and gameplay.
New York Knicks Injury Report: Crowded List
Despite their excellent form, the Knicks' injury report is not clean. Six players are listed, creating some rotation challenges for coach Tom Thibodeau.
OG Anunoby is marked as questionable due to a left knee contusion, while Josh Hart carries the same tag because of a rectus abdominal issue. The potential absence of these two key wings could impact New York's defensive schemes significantly.
The team's depth has already been tested with Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) missing recent action. This has placed a heavier burden on the star trio of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns to carry the load.
Knicks' Offensive Firepower
Even with the injury concerns, the Knicks possess formidable top-end talent. Jalen Brunson has been in scintillating form, averaging around 37.5 points and six assists in recent outings, hitting roughly four three-pointers per game. His pick-and-roll mastery remains the engine of the offense.
When available, Karl-Anthony Towns presents a nightmare matchup as a stretch center against an Indiana frontcourt lacking athleticism. Mikal Bridges serves as the vital connector, contributing efficiently on both ends of the floor.
Indiana Pacers Injury Crisis: A Season-Defining Blow
The Pacers' situation is far more dire. Their season was dealt a catastrophic blow with the loss of All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the entire 2025-26 campaign following right Achilles surgery. His absence has forced the offense to revolve around Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin.
The injury list extends deep into the roster. Obi Toppin is expected to miss at least three months with a right foot stress fracture. Wing players Aaron Nesmith (left MCL sprain) and Ben Sheppard (left calf strain) are also sidelined, stripping the team of crucial shooting and defensive versatility.
The Major Question: Containing Jalen Brunson
The most pressing issue for the Pacers is how to slow down Jalen Brunson. With Haliburton out and wing defenders injured, the task falls to players like Andrew Nembhard, who himself has been managing left calf soreness and is often questionable. Coach Rick Carlisle has limited options, needing to rely on patched-together lineups to generate any on-ball resistance.
Game Outlook and Prediction
The Pacers, missing their primary engine and multiple defenders, have transformed from a run-and-gun team into a slower, Siakam-centric half-court offense. This allows opponents to pack the paint and challenge their remaining shooters.
For the Knicks, the game plan will likely involve heavy doses of Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll actions, aggressive drives to the basket, and kick-out passes to open three-point shooters like Bridges. Oddsmakers favor the Knicks by roughly 3.5 points on the road, reflecting the gap in current form and roster stability.
Indiana's path to a potential upset hinges on spectacular performances from Siakam and Mathurin, a steady game from a sore Nembhard, and an unexpected contribution from a role player stepping up amidst the injury chaos. However, the overall matchup clearly tilts in favor of the visiting Knicks to extend their winning streak.
