NBA schedule release: Indiana Pacers' must-see games in 2023-24 National News
On Thursday, the NBA announced its 2023-24 regular-season schedule, which includes the league's new In-Season Tournament. Below are the Pacers' most interesting matchups, including all four games of tourney group play in the new NBA Cup.
Indiana Pacers' must-see games
- Wednesday, Oct. 25: Wizards at Pacers – Season begins against the oddsmakers’ pick to finish last in the East
- Wednesday, Nov. 1: Pacers at Celtics – It’s an early test against the betting favorites to win the East
- Friday, Nov. 3: Cavaliers at Pacers – In-Season Tournament opener
- Monday, Nov. 6: Spurs at Pacers – No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama visits Indiana for the first time
- Tuesday, Nov. 14: Pacers at 76ers – In-Season Tournament group game No. 2
- Tuesday, Nov. 21: Pacers at Hawks – In-Season Tournament group game No. 3
- Friday, Nov. 24: Pistons at Pacers – In-Season Tournament group play finale
- Thursday, Nov. 30: Pacers at Heat – Opener of a two-game series in Miami kicks off a six-game road trip
- Monday, Jan. 1: Pacers at Bucks – The new year begins in Milwaukee
- Saturday, Jan. 6 and Monday, Jan. 8: Celtics at Pacers – Two-game series should show how much Rick Carlisle’s club has improved
- Sunday, Jan. 21: Pacers at Suns – First look at Phoenix’s new Big Three concludes a six-game road trip
- Tuesday, Jan. 23: Nuggets at Pacers – Nikola Jokic and the defending champs come to town
- Thursday, Feb. 8: Warriors at Pacers – Steph Curry and the Dubs make their lone Indiana appearance
- Wednesday, March 20: Pacers at Pistons – A victory at the start of a five-game road trip could do wonders if Indiana remains in the playoff mix
- Sunday, March 29: Lakers at Pacers – LeBron James, in Year 21, comes to town
Sandeep Chandok: Call me crazy, but I think the Pacers can be the top team in their In-Season Tournament group. They'll face the 76ers, Cavaliers, Hawks and Pistons, none of whom should be heavily favored above Indy. The Pacers will be tested early in the season when they travel east to visit Boston on Nov. 1 before returning home to host Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Nov. 6; and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Nov. 9. On Jan. 14, Bruce Brown will receive his NBA championship ring in Denver when Indiana takes on the Nuggets. A couple weeks later, Obi Toppin gets his chance at a revenge game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The final stretch before the playoffs will be tough. The Pacers head west to face the Warriors, Lakers and Clippers and then play the Lakers, Nets, Thunder and Heat at home with a game in Brooklyn sprinkled in between.
Joe Lago: The Pacers increased their win total from 25 to 35 in Rick Carlisle's second season as head coach. Oddsmakers have set the over/under on Indiana's win total at 35.5. A home-heavy schedule early on — with 11 of the first 16 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — should help a young Indiana squad get off to a strong start in its bid for the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season.
