Heat to Host Pacers Friday in NBA Cup Match

The Miami Heat face the Indiana Pacers on Friday as Bam Adebayo celebrates his new franchise rebound record.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Heat to Host Pacers Friday in NBA Cup Match

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The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers on Friday for an NBA Cup tournament game. Miami enters the contest following a 129-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Why it matters

This matchup serves as a significant early-season test for both teams within the NBA Cup structure. The Heat are coming off a high-scoring win, while the Pacers face a major rotation challenge with key players sidelined.

Bam Adebayo recorded 24 points during Wednesday's game, pushing his career total to 5,794 rebounds. This performance surpassed Udonis Haslem's long-standing franchise record of 5,791 rebounds.

The players

Bam Adebayo

He is the starting center for the Miami Heat and now holds the franchise record for total career rebounds.

Lloyd Pierce

He is an interim coach for the Indiana Pacers currently leading the team while Rick Carlisle is away.

Rick Carlisle

He is the head coach of the Indiana Pacers who is missing the game to attend his father's funeral.

Tyrese Haliburton

He is an Indiana Pacers guard currently sidelined due to a left hamstring strain.

Udonis Haslem

He is a retired Miami Heat forward who held the franchise rebound record of 5,791 before being surpassed by Bam Adebayo.

The details

Lloyd Pierce will manage the Indiana Pacers during the absence of head coach Rick Carlisle, who is away to attend his father's funeral. The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, who is expected to miss at least two weeks due to a left hamstring strain.

Preston Carlisle died on Oct. 3 at age 96.
The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 129-117 on Oct. 28.
The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 31.

Season Trajectory

The game is part of the NBA Cup tournament, which provides a secondary competitive layer for teams during the regular season. Results in this competition impact group standings early in the year, potentially influencing playoff positioning and season-long momentum.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss at least two weeks of action, significantly impacting the Pacers' backcourt rotation. Conversely, Bam Adebayo's recent 24-point performance suggests he remains a central fantasy asset for upcoming games.

The takeaway

The Indiana Pacers face immediate depth challenges with multiple players out due to injury and the head coach absent. Fans should monitor roster updates closely as the team adjusts its rotation for the upcoming games.