Pacers Visit Mavericks at American Airlines Center
Indiana, 3-7, faces Dallas, 5-4, on November 9 at 8 p.m. ET with several key players sidelined.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball
The Indiana Pacers play the Dallas Mavericks on November 9, 2026, at American Airlines Center. Indiana enters at 3-7 after a 114-102 loss to Denver in Mexico City, while Dallas is 5-4.
Why it matters
Dallas already beat Indiana 121-105 in the October 23 home opener, and Indiana's turnover problems and injury list give Dallas another chance to exploit the matchup. For Dallas fans, the game offers a look at a team trying to build momentum early in the season.
Indiana committed 21 turnovers in the October 23 meeting, which Dallas converted into 31 points, and Dallas led by as many as 37. Dallas scored 44 points in the first quarter of that game, while Indiana's season record stands at 3-7 against Dallas's 5-4.
The players
Indiana Pacers
A National Basketball Association franchise based in Indianapolis that plays its home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Dallas Mavericks
A National Basketball Association franchise based in Dallas that plays its home games at American Airlines Center.
Pascal Siakam
A veteran Indiana forward who scored 23 points in the Mexico City loss and passed 13,000 career points.
Cooper Flagg
A Dallas forward who scored 14 points in the October 23 win before leaving with a shoulder injury.
The details
Dallas beat Indiana 121-105 in the October 23 home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Cooper Flagg scoring 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in 17 minutes before a shoulder injury. Indiana then lost 114-102 to Denver in Mexico City on Saturday, where Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and passed 13,000 career points. Tyrese Haliburton, Johnny Furphy and Ben Sheppard are out for Indiana, while Dereck Lively II, Sergio de Larrea and Tarik Biberovic are out for Dallas.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Dallas beats Indiana 121-105 in the home opener.
Saturday before November 9, 2026: Indiana loses 114-102 to Denver in Mexico City.
November 9, 2026, 8 p.m. ET: Pacers play the Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
Season Trajectory
Indiana's 3-7 start leaves it trailing in the standings after a season opened with an international trip and a loss to Denver. Dallas's 5-4 record keeps it in the early competitive mix as the team looks to build consistency.
Fantasy managers should track Haliburton, Furphy and Sheppard's absences and McConnell's hamstring status before lineups lock. Dallas's rotation without Lively, de Larrea and Biberovic may shift minutes toward Flagg and other wings if he is cleared.
The takeaway
Early-season records can swing quickly on turnovers and injuries, and Indiana's 21-turnover performance against Dallas shows how fast a game can slip. Watch the injury reports closely, since availability is still in flux for both teams.
Further reading
For more early-season coverage, see Basketball news for Dallas.
