New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers regular season game: Full injury report, who’s out, and more (December 18, 2025) | NBA News
The New York Knicks head to Indianapolis on December 18, 2025, carrying momentum, confidence, and an injury report that favors them on paper but still leaves room for late twists. With the Indiana Pacers ravaged by long-term absences and the Knicks juggling several questionable rotation pieces, this matchup sits at the intersection of form, health, and late-breaking availability.New York Knicks enter at 18-7, winners of six straight and fresh off an NBA Cup title run that has cemented them as a legitimate Eastern Conference force. Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, are stuck at 6-20, battling both the standings and a relentless string of injuries that have reshaped its identity. Oddsmakers have leaned toward the Knicks by roughly 3.5 points on the road, reflecting not just recent results but the growing gap in stability between these two teams.
New York Knicks Injury Report vs the Indiana Pacers (December 18, 2025)
Despite their surge, the New York Knicks’ injury report is crowded. Six players are listed, including prominent names such as Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart. Anunoby is questionable with a left knee contusion, while Hart carries a questionable tag due to a rectus abdominal issue, both significant concerns for Tom Thibodeau’s wing-heavy defensive schemes.Depth has already been tested. Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) have missed time, pushing heavier workloads onto Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Towns. While not catastrophic, the absences force New York to balance short-term health against maintaining its rhythm.
Brunson and Towns power the offense
Even with uncertainty, the New York Knicks’ top-end firepower is formidable. Brunson is scorching hot, averaging around 37.5 points and six assists in recent games while knocking down roughly four three-pointers per night. His command of the pick-and-roll remains the engine of New York’s offense.Towns, when active, creates a nightmare matchup as a stretch five against an Indiana frontcourt already missing key athleticism and spacing. Bridges fills the connective role, scoring efficiently, rebounding, facilitating, and taking on the toughest perimeter defensive assignments, a responsibility magnified if Anunoby or Hart are limited.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report vs the New York Knicks (December 18, 2025)
Indiana Pacers’ season has been reshaped by one defining loss: Tyrese Haliburton is out for the entire 2025-26 campaign following right Achilles surgery. Without their All-NBA point guard, the Pacers have shifted toward a committee offense centered on Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin, stretching secondary creators like Andrew Nembhard beyond ideal roles.The injury toll extends to the wings and frontcourt. Obi Toppin is expected to miss at least three months with a right foot stress fracture, while Aaron Nesmith (left MCL sprain) and Ben Sheppard (left calf strain) are also out, stripping Indiana of length, shooting, and defensive versatility.
Who slows down Brunson?
With Haliburton sidelined and wing depth depleted, Indiana Pacers’ ability to contain Brunson is a major question. Nembhard has been dealing with left calf soreness and has carried questionable tags recently, often playing through discomfort. Behind him, Rick Carlisle is forced to juggle limited guard depth, leaning on patched-together lineups and hoping to generate enough on-ball resistance.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game Outlook (December 18, 2025)
The Indiana Pacers’ injuries have transformed them from a fast, transition-driven group into a grind-heavy, Siakam-centric half-court team. Missing multiple defenders allows opponents to shrink the floor and challenge Indiana’s secondary shooters. For New York Knicks, potential absences of Anunoby and Hart could weaken point-of-attack defense, pushing the Knicks toward more offense-leaning lineups.On balance, the matchup tilts clearly toward the Knicks. Expect Brunson-Towns actions early, aggressive paint pressure, and kick-out threes to Bridges and the supporting cast. Indiana’s path to an upset requires standout nights from Siakam and Mathurin, Nembhard stabilizing the offense despite soreness, and at least one unexpected contributor rising through the injury chaos to keep the game unpredictable until the final minutes.
