Hornets Vs Pacers: Hornets heavy favorites as injuries pile up for Indiana in Game 60
The hornets vs pacers matchup on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 at 7 p. m. ET sends the Charlotte Hornets (28-31) to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with FanDuel Sportsbook listing a 13-point spread and a 229. 5 point total; NumberFire gives Charlotte a 71. 4% chance to win.
Hornets Vs Pacers set for 7 p. m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 60 will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and airs on FanDuel Sports Network and NBA League Pass. The Hornets are the visitors wearing the Association (white) uniform; the Pacers are the home team in the Icon (navy) kit. FanDuel Sportsbook provides the NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets for the game, and NumberFire’s win probability model favors Charlotte at 71. 4%.
Pacers contend with long injury list and limited rotation
Indiana arrives hampered by a lengthy injury log: Andrew Nembhard—questionable (back); Obi Toppin—questionable (foot); Pascal Siakam—doubtful (wrist); Tyrese Haliburton—out (achilles); Ivica Zubac—out (ankle); Aaron Nemsith—out (ankle); Johnny Furphy—out (knee). The Pacers are trying to snap a four-game home losing streak while coping with those absences. For the game, the Pacers will have only one player from a plausible starting lineup available, third-year pro Jarace Walker.
Walker, Huff and McConnell: rotation strains and matchup trouble
Jarace Walker, the third-year pro, has not lived up to his draft status as the eighth overall pick a couple of years ago and has struggled with efficiency in a larger role. The bigger matchup headaches have been Jay Huff and TJ McConnell: Huff “went nuts” against Charlotte in the first meeting and didn’t miss a shot in the second meeting; McConnell averaged 18. 5 points in the first two games and didn’t miss a shot in the first one. That Huff–McConnell duo has been described as a nightmare for the Hornets this season. On the whole, the Pacers are characterized here as having the worst offense in the league and a defense that is not much better; they played competent basketball in January but reverted to losing almost every game in February and recently dropped back-to-back games to the Wizards.
Hornets riding franchise-record eight-game road streak
Charlotte comes in on a franchise-record eight-game road winning streak and carries a 16-15 road mark. The Hornets will have their full rotation available tonight, and local previews note there’s no reason they shouldn’t win if they avoid waiting until the third quarter to turn it up. Commentary celebrating Charlotte’s form includes lines that Lamelo Ball’s talent was never in doubt and that seeing him play winning basketball is validation; there are views that the Hornets are still being underestimated in playoff predictions. A writer noted the team just won its 29th game in February and referenced an earlier team over/under of 27. 5. Another assessment called recent developments “symbiotic” and added, “I’m a fan of gestalt. ” One piece of praise said a rookie delivered for the people and can now return home “to be crowned King Kon. ”
Odds, picks and how to follow the game
FanDuel lists the bookmakers’ spread and total for the matchup and promotes its sportsbook and daily fantasy offerings for bettors and fans. FanDuel also highlights its TV programming: the show "Run It Back" with Lou Williams, Michelle Beadle, DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins and Chandler Parsons airs weekdays at 10 a. m. ET on FanDuel TV and is available on the Run It Back YouTube page and as a podcast. NumberFire’s projection favors Charlotte with a 71. 4% win probability; FanDuel’s posted total for the game is 229. 5 points.
The game tips at 7 p. m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
