Mavericks built a big early lead and beat Pacers 121-105
Dallas won 121-105 after taking the first quarter 44-27. The Mavericks led 97% of the game and were up by as many as 37 pts. Kyrie Irving had 24 pts with 5 3PM, and P.J. Washington added 20 pts and 13 reb. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 pts. The Pacers shot 7-32 from three and committed 21 tov.
Sources: Box score via ESPN
Also in the picture (2)
Reported Cooper Flagg left with a left shoulder injury
ESPN reported that Flagg sat out the second half after landing hard on his left shoulder when Aaron Nesmith tried to block his shot from behind. Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reported that coach Dusty May said Flagg will be evaluated in the next couple of days. Locked On Mavericks relayed May saying Flagg was "in good spirits."
Tyrese Haliburton had 18 pts, 6 reb and 7 ast in 32 min. Tony East of Locked On Pacers reported that he spoke to the crowd at midcourt after his long injury absence. East also wrote that the Pacers' "ugly start" on both ends cost them.
Reported Haliburton's home return meets Kyrie's comeback in Pacers' home opener
Tyrese Haliburton had 23 points and 12 assists in his first regular-season game since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, ESPN reported, as Indiana won in New Orleans. Now he plays at home against Kyrie Irving, who scored 15 in his own first game since March 2025.
Reported Flagg scores 32 as Rockets trap Kyrie in Mavs' loss
RotoWire reported that Cooper Flagg had 32 points and three steals in Dallas's 128-110 loss to Houston, while ESPN said the Rockets trapped Irving. Isaac Harris of Locked On Mavericks noted Dallas posted a -25 net rating in the 13 minutes with both stars sitting and expects the two to be staggered a lot.
Mavericks without Lively, Aldama, Martin and Biberovic
Dereck Lively II (foot), Santi Aldama (knee), Caleb Martin (thumb) and Tarik Biberovic (heel) are out for Dallas. Jett Howard (calf) is doubtful.
Sources: Caleb Martin status (ESPN) · Dereck Lively II status (ESPN) · Santi Aldama status (ESPN) · Tarik Biberovic status (ESPN) · Jett Howard status (ESPN)
Written by our system from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words; written Oct 23, 10:56 AM ET, before tip. Rumors and opinions are labelled.
Since the final
posted after the final · newest first · official report, X, Bluesky, RotoWire, ESPN
BlueskyINDIvica Zubac
Updated with postgame quotes from Rick Carlisle, including his full answer on Ivica Zubac's health.
Ivica Zubac: Doubtful for Monday — Head coach Rick Carlisle said that X-rays on Zubac's sprained left ankle came back negative, but he's got some swelling and is unlikely to play Monday in Milwaukee, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Pacers respond to their awful game against Dallas and crush the Nets 136-109. Their shot making was terrific. Jay Huff stepped up after Ivica Zubac's injury. Pascal Siakam broke through a clunky game.
Pacers 2-1 and in Milwaukee tomorrow night.
Pacers made 21 3s (3x as many as last game) in a 136-109 win at Brooklyn. Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle sprain 7mins in and did not return to the bench.
Haliburton had 24/10a, Siakam with 21-7-6, and Huff added 14pts. Just 3 TOs in second half.
Next: Mon. at MIL, first b2b
@scottagness.bsky.social · View on Blueskyalso reported by ESPN, @UnderdogNBA
No Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) on the court at halftime. Huff will start the second half.
Now, let's see if the Pacers can start strong and get back to playing their brand of basketball.
Mavs upgraded Cooper Flagg (left shoulder sprain) to questionable for tomorrow's game vs. Heat.
Kyrie Irving not on the injury report and expected to be available.
@Anthony_Chiang · View on Xalso reported by @TheSteinLine
XINDJay Huff
Jay Huff block turns into a Nembhard 3. Huff stepping up when necessary here. Everything's messy but they have to have something out of him and they're getting it.
Ivica Zubac: Questionable to return Sunday — Zubac is questionable to return to Sunday's game in Brooklyn due to a left ankle sprain, Pat Boylan of FanDuel Sports Network Indiana reports.
Pat Boylan of FanDuel Sports Network Indiana · via RotoWire ↗also reported by ESPN
BlueskyIND
Pacers and Nets underway in Brooklyn. Both teams in Classic Edition ABA uniforms.
Third game, third different starting lineup for Indiana. The original five for the first time this season.
Mavericks' Cooper Flagg (shoulder) upgraded to questionable for Monday at Heat. Caleb Martin (thumb) doubtful. Out for Dallas are Santi Aldama (knee), Tarik Biberovic (heel), Dereck Lively II (foot) and Naji Marshall (illness).
Tyrese Haliburton's Indy returned was spoiled by a poor Pacers effort. To this point, it's effort that the Pacers need to address more than anything on either side of the ball:
Irving is out for Saturday's game against the Spurs due to rest, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
Left, Knee (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · via ESPN ↗also reported by Christian Clark of The Athletic
RotoWireDALSergio de Larrea
Sergio de Larrea: Drops 21 points in loss — De Larrea racked up 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-4 3Pt), five rebounds and four assists across 33 minutes in Saturday's 122-106 loss to the Spurs.
Howard (calf) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Spurs.
Right, Calf, Soreness (return est. 2026-10-24)ESPN · via ESPN ↗
Injuries at tip
official report · as of tip, Oct 23, 7:00 PM ET
DAL Dallas Mavericks
Started Christie, Washington, Irving, Flagg, Gafford box score
Caleb MartinOut
Martin (thumb) has been ruled out for Fridays' game against the Pacers.
Right, Thumb, Sprain (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
Dereck Lively IIOut
Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Right, Foot, Surgery (return est. 2026-10-28) · ESPN
Jett HowardOut
Howard (calf) is out for Friday's game in Indiana.
Right, Calf, Soreness (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
Santi AldamaOut
Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Right, Knee, Surgery (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
Tarik BiberovicOut
Biberovic (heel) is out for Friday's game against Indiana.
Right, Heel, Inflammation (return est. 2026-10-24) · ESPN
IND Indiana Pacers
Started Nembhard, Haliburton, Siakam, Zubac, Walker box score
Ben SheppardOut
Sheppard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and is without a timetable for a return to game action, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Left, Knee (return est. 2026-12-01) · ESPN
Braden SmithOut
G League - Two-Way · NBA report
Johnny FurphyOut
Furphy was diagnosed with a torn right ACL on Monday and will miss the remainder of the season, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Right, Knee, Surgery (return est. 2027-01-02) · ESPN
T.J. McConnellOut
McConnell (hamstring) is out for Friday's game against Dallas.
Right, Hamstring (return est. 2026-10-25) · ESPN
Schedule & travel · referees
DAL
IND
Days of rest
1
1
Back-to-back
No
No
Games in last 7 days
2
2
Travel to this game (est.)
865 mi
713 mi
Travel last 7 days (est.)
1,092 mi
1,426 mi
Time zones crossed
1
1
Road trip game #
2
—
Travel is the straight-line distance between arenas from the schedule, an estimate; in the first week they include preseason games. These numbers describe the schedule; they are not a prediction of how a team will play.