The Toronto Raptors head to Indianapolis tonight with more questions than answers. The injuries are piling up, and both teams will be missing stars. Toronto sits at 24-17 and third in the Atlantic Division, while Indiana, at 9-31, has found a little life with three straight wins, including a gritty 98-96 takedown of the Boston Celtics. This one may be less about marquee names and more about who can adapt on the fly.

Raptors vs. Pacers injury report: Who is in, who is out

Toronto will be without two key pieces. RJ Barrett is out with a left ankle sprain, missing his third straight game. Earlier this season, he sat 15 games with a knee injury; the Raptors went 6-9 in that stretch. He has averaged 19.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 23 games.

Jakob Poeltl remains out with a lower back strain. He has not played since December 21, when he left after seven minutes against Brooklyn. Poeltl signed a three-year, $84 million extension after a standout 2024-25 season, and his absence is felt in the paint. He averages 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 21 appearances this season.

Also out for Toronto: Ja’Kobe Walter (right hip pointer) and Chucky Hepburn (G League/two-way).

Questionable for the Raptors: Immanuel Quickley (back spasms), Garrett Temple (back spasms), and Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness). Several calls are expected to be made close to tip-off.

Indiana will be short-handed too. Tyrese Haliburton is out with a right Achilles tendon tear, and the Pacers will also miss Bennedict Mathurin (right thumb sprain), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture), and Isaiah Jackson (concussion protocol).

“If Barrett sits again, who closes for Toronto in crunch time?”

RJ Barrett’s absence shifts the scoring load

Without Barrett, Toronto leans even more on Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. Siakam leads the team at 23.1 points per game. Barnes brings a steady all-around game at 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per night. They will need to drive the offense and make plays for others, especially if Quickley cannot go.

Barrett’s scoring and downhill drives help Toronto in late-game situations. When he missed time earlier, Toronto’s record dipped. The Raptors will try to keep the ball moving and get smart shots. Expect more touches for Barnes in the mid-post and more actions for Siakam to attack mismatches.

Jakob Poeltl’s back injury and the battle in the paint

No Poeltl means Toronto must defend the rim and rebound as a group. The Raptors will need gang rebounding and clean box-outs to finish possessions. Second-chance points can swing a road game fast. Toronto’s bigs and wings must build a wall at the rim, rotate early, and avoid cheap fouls.

Poeltl’s passing from the middle is also a quiet loss. Without his screens and handoffs, the offense can stagnate. Expect more dribble drives and kick-outs, and a focus on keeping turnovers low. The goal: simple, strong plays and a controlled pace.

“Raps have to win the glass without Poeltl, or this gets messy.”

Pacers outlook without Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton is the engine for Indiana, so his absence is massive. Yet, the Pacers have won three straight and just beat Boston 98-96. That tells you they can grind. With so many playmakers out, Indiana is expected to slow the game and lean on half-court sets.

The Pacers will aim to make this a low-turnover, physical contest. They will try to get to the free-throw line, control the tempo, and force Toronto to play deep in the shot clock. Expect a methodical approach, balanced scoring, and heavy focus on defense at home.

“Pacers without Haliburton still grind — don’t sleep.”

Keys to the game: pace, role players, and late-game poise

Pace: Toronto would love easy points, but Indiana will try to slow it down. If the Raptors can score before the Pacers set their defense, that’s a win. If not, patience and good spacing are vital.

Role players: With stars out, the spotlight shifts. For Toronto, depth pieces must hit open shots and defend without fouling. For Indiana, the next-man-up rotation must keep energy high and stick to the plan.

Late-game offense: Close games come down to simple, strong decisions. The Raptors will look to Siakam and Barnes to create clean looks. Free throws matter. So do turnovers. One extra stop, or one extra rebound, could decide it.

Why this night matters for Toronto

Toronto’s record (24-17) shows a team fighting through the bumps. They are third in the Atlantic Division and want to keep climbing. Winning shorthanded on the road sends a message. It also builds trust and habits that matter in the spring.

Indiana’s 9-31 mark is deceiving this week. A three-game win streak changes the mood in the building. The Pacers will bring effort and belief, even without their stars. The Raptors must match that intensity from the jump.

In short, this game is about resilience. Both teams are short-handed. Several decisions will be made right before tip-off. The team that adjusts faster — that takes care of the ball, wins the glass, and executes late — should walk out with a hard-earned win.

Keep an eye on the final injury calls for Quickley, Temple, and Mamukelashvili. If they play, Toronto’s rotation looks steadier. If not, it’s all hands on deck once again.

Either way, expect a tight one. Simple plays. Smart defense. And a finish that rewards the team that keeps its cool.