Hornets Vs Pacers: Game Recap and Feb. 26 Preview

The Charlotte Hornets beat the Indiana Pacers 133-109 in the hornets vs pacers matchup played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7 p. m. ET. The result capped a night framed by lopsided preseason lines, an extensive Pacers injury list and a Hornets road streak that had built substantial momentum.

Hornets Vs Pacers final score, site and timing

The final was 133-109 in favor of the Hornets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Feb. 26, 2026, tip at 7 p. m. ET. The Pacers were the home team and entered the night trying to halt a four-game home losing streak.

Pregame lines and conflicting odds in the build-up

Pre-game pricing varied: one preview listed the Pacers as heavy underdogs by 13 points with a point total of 229. 5, while a separate pregame write-up showed the Hornets at -12. 5, a Hornets money line of -800 and an over/under of 228. 5. Those differing numbers framed expectations that the Hornets were firmly favored heading in.

Team records and situational marks supplied before tip

Published materials gave differing records for the Pacers — 15-44 in one listing and 25-44 in another — while the Hornets were shown at 28-31. The Hornets were listed as 16-15 on the road; the Pacers were shown as 10-20 at home in one account. Those figures highlighted the Hornets' stronger recent form and the Pacers' struggles in their building.

Pacers availability and the long injury list

The pregame notes included an extensive availability list. For the Hornets, Liam McNeeley was listed out with an ankle issue. The Pacers had multiple players carrying questionable or out statuses: Andrew Nembhard was listed as questionable with a back issue, Obi Toppin as questionable with a foot concern, Pascal Siakam as doubtful with a wrist problem, Tyrese Haliburton out with an achilles injury, Ivica Zubac out with an ankle, Aaron Nemsith out with an ankle, and Johnny Furphy out with a knee issue.

Those absences left the Pacers with only one player from a plausible starting lineup projected for the game: Jarace Walker, described as a third-year pro and the eighth overall pick a couple of years earlier. The pregame material said Walker has struggled with efficiency in a more prominent role and has not lived up to his draft status.

Key matchups and player notes: Jay Huff, TJ McConnell, Jarace Walker

Two Pacers role players were singled out as particular matchup concerns for the Hornets. Jay Huff was described as having 'gone nuts' against Charlotte in the first meeting and not missing a shot in the second meeting. TJ McConnell was noted as averaging 18. 5 points in the first two games against the Hornets and also described as not missing a shot in the first meeting. Those specific game-to-game performances were framed as troublesome for Charlotte despite the Hornets’ overall advantage.

Jarace Walker was the lone plausible starter available for Indiana that night; the pregame material emphasized his third-year status and the high draft pedigree behind him while noting his efficiency struggles.

Season arcs: Pacers decline, Hornets' road surge

The Pacers were described as having fallen hard from an NBA Finals appearance last season. Expectations of a setback with Tyrese Haliburton out with an achilles tear were cited, and the team was portrayed as careening toward a top pick in a loaded draft in what was described as the last year where tanking is tolerated. That write-up suggested a future core could include Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac, but said the Pacers 'right now' had none of those players available.

On the court, the Pacers were characterized as having the worst offense in the league and a defense that was not much better. They were said to have played some competent basketball in January but to have reverted to losing almost every game in February, including recent back-to-back defeats to the Wizards.

The Hornets entered the game riding a franchise road streak described as an eight-game run in one account and later noted as winning their last nine road games in another line of the same preview. Additional pregame notes said the Hornets had improved to 12-3 in their last 15 and that they would have their full rotation available for the matchup.

• Final score: Hornets 133, Pacers 109.
• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis; tip: Feb. 26, 2026 at 7 p. m. ET.
• Injury and availability snapshot: Hornets — Liam McNeeley out (ankle). Pacers — 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).