Many NBA teams can say that they're short-handed early in the 2026-27 season. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are out for the Thunder, Anthony Edwards is missing time for the Timberwolves, and Ja Morant is dealing with an injury for the Trail Blazers.

But nothing can compare to the situation the Pacers endured on Monday night. Between longer-term absences and late scratches, Indiana had just six players available to play against the Hawks.

A few rather inexperienced NBA players were forced to play over 40 minutes for the Pacers, who still kept it close in a 108-104 loss despite being so short-handed.

Here's a look at Indiana's lengthy injury report from Monday's game. 

Pacers injury report vs. Hawks

The following players were out for the Pacers on Monday night:

  • Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring)
  • Pascal Siakam (rest)
  • Johnny Furphy (knee)
  • T.J. McConnell (hamstring)
  • Larry Nance Jr. (illness)
  • Andrew Nembhard (cervical)
  • Aaron Nesmith (hamstring)
  • Ben Sheppard (knee)
  • Obi Toppin (lumbar sprain)
  • Ivica Zubac (ankle)
  • Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee)

That left just six players available for head coach Rick Carlisle to even play: Jay Huff, Quenton Jackson, Jarace Walker, Braden Smith, Kobe Brown and Jalen Slawson. Of that bunch, Smith, Brown and Slawson are all on two-way deals.

The last time a team used six or fewer players this early in an NBA season was in 1948, when the Lakers used just five in their third game of the season, according to ESPN. It also marked the first time since 2004 that the Pacers used just six players in a game — that instance was the day following the "Malice at the Palace" between Indiana and Detroit that led to multiple suspensions.

"People are still talking about that game," Carlisle said postgame about that 2004 game, per ESPN. "And they will talk about this game for a long time."

Pacers final box score vs. Hawks

Here's a look at the final numbers for Indiana's six players on Monday night:

PlayerMinutesPointsReboundsAssistsStealsBlocksFG3PTFT
Jalen Slawson411273333-112-74-4
Jarace Walker451573116-151-62-3
Jay Huff402282028-140-56-7
Quenton Jackson352073427-161-75-5
Braden Smith4219410318-132-31-2
Kobe Brown381661106-112-62-2

While the Pacers fell to 2-6, considering their limited rotation, they did put up a fight against the Hawks. Jackson's missed 3-point attempt in the final minute would have given Indiana a lead, and Onyeka Okongwu had a bucket with 10.2 seconds left that sealed the win for Atlanta.

Walker led the Pacers in minutes with 45, while Jackson's 34 minutes were the fewest of the six players.

"These guys all played too many minutes," Carlisle said postgame, per ESPN. "But they played their hearts out. ... The guys left everything out there, and our fans got their money's worth, even though we weren't able to win the game."

In this photo: every single available player for the Pacers tonight. https://t.co/PhujR8dGC6

— Tony East (@TonyREast) November 3, 2026

Smith, meanwhile, was playing in just his fifth NBA game and his first start, put up a double-double, something he did regularly for Purdue in college.

"I thought everybody did an unbelievable job," Smith said, per ESPN. "It's hard. I don't think I've ever been a part of a game where six guys have dressed. For all of us to just go out there and leave it all on the court and at least just give them a game, I think it was a big deal to be able to do that. It's hard. You're exhausted for a lot of the time, so it makes it difficult mentally."

Pacers rookie Braden Smith 19 PTS (8-13 FG, 2-3 3P), 10 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK vs. Hawks Double-double in his first career start https://t.co/N0Zz8bhIDH

— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) November 3, 2026

Indiana's next game will be on Wednesday against the Grizzlies, and while some players should be returning for that matchup, others, including Haliburton, will remain sidelined.

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