The 2025–26 season was a grueling test for both teams. The Pacers faced a "nightmare" year, losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton to a ruptured Achilles during the previous year's Finals, forcing him to miss the entire current campaign. Brooklyn, meanwhile, was navigating a youth-heavy rebuild with a roster featuring several 2025 draft picks.
: Seven different Pacers scored in double figures. Obi Toppin led the charge with a monster 26-point, 9-rebound performance. He was supported by a relentless "next man up" rotation: NBA Indiana Pacers Vs Brooklyn Nets
(15 pts) and Jarace Walker (14 pts) consistently found holes in Brooklyn's defense. The 2025–26 season was a grueling test for both teams