Rick Carlisle on the Brink of 1,000 Wins as Pacers Face Off Against Struggling Wizards
The Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards, two teams grappling with the challenges of a tough season, clash on Sunday afternoon. This matchup carries significant implications, particularly for Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who stands poised to become just the 11th coach in NBA history to notch 1,000 regular-season victories.
Injury News and Roster Updates
As the Pacers look to secure this historic milestone, they will benefit from the return of point guard Andrew Nembhard and center Tony Bradley, both cleared to play. Carlisle, in his second tenure with Indiana, has faced considerable adversity this season, particularly after leading the team to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Despite the uphill battle presented by injuries—details of which are outlined below—Indiana has shown signs of life, managing to win four of their last seven games after a dismal 1-13 start.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are eager to avoid becoming Carlisle’s 1,000th casualty. They are currently struggling to find their footing, having secured just one road victory all season, which came against Dallas on October 24. After a brief resurgence with a notable upset against Milwaukee to kick off December, Washington finds itself on a four-game losing streak.
Injury Report
Wizards
Alex Sarr: Out – Right Adductor Strain
Bilal Coulibaly: Out – Right Oblique Strain
Khris Middleton: Out – Right Knee Contusion
Corey Kispert: Out – Right Thumb Fracture
Malaki Branham: Out – Right Thumb Sprain
Sharife Cooper: Out – G League (Two-way)
AJ Johnson: Out – G League (On assignment)
Pacers
Andrew Nembhard: Available – Left Calf Soreness
Tony Bradley: Available – Left Quad Strain
Moritz Wagner: Out – Left Knee injury recovery
Tyrese Haliburton: Out – Right Achilles Tendon tear
Aaron Nesmith: Out – Left Knee MCL Sprain
Obi Toppin: Out – Right Foot Stress Fracture
Ben Sheppard: Out – Left Calf Strain
Kam Jones: Doubtful – G League (On assignment)
A Precarious Matchup
As the Pacers (6-19) prepare to host the Wizards (3-20) for the second time in less than three weeks, there is a sense of urgency on both sides. These teams met earlier in the NBA Cup, where the Wizards handed Indiana its only defeat, allowing Toronto to advance with a perfect record. Their last encounter on November 28 saw the Pacers dominate with a 119-86 victory, buoyed by Pascal Siakam’s impressive 24 points and 11 rebounds.
This game marks the final meeting between these two teams at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season, with another pair of matchups scheduled in Washington on February 19-20, right after the All-Star break. Historically, the Pacers have enjoyed considerable success against the Wizards, winning six straight contests and holding a commanding 112-27 advantage in the series since Indiana’s transition from the ABA in 1976.
Betting Lines and Game Details
Game Date and Time: Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:10 p.m. EST
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (Pacers), Monumental Sports Network (Wizards)
Radio: 1070 The Fan (Pacers), 106.7 The Fan (Wizards)
Betting Lines (via DraftKings)
Spread: Pacers -9.5 (-110), Wizards +9.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Pacers -410, Wizards +320
Total: 223.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
Projected Starters
Wizards
F Kyshawn George
F Justin Champagnie
C Marvin Bagley Jr.
G Bub Carrington
G CJ McCollum
Pacers
F Bennedict Mathurin
F Pascal Siakam
C Jay Huff
G Andrew Nembhard
G Ethan Thompson
Coach’s Perspective
In light of recent frustrations, Carlisle expressed his determination to advocate for his players. After a close game against Philadelphia, he remarked, “Can I say that we could’ve gotten a few calls without being fined $40,000? There were a couple of calls that I thought we could’ve gotten. I’m gonna fight for our guys. Our guys have been up against it all year, fighting hard; every play is meaningful.”
As the Pacers aim for a triumphant afternoon, Carlisle’s pursuit of 1,000 wins adds an intriguing layer to this already critical matchup against the Wizards.
