The Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers meet in Indianapolis on Monday night with a lot of star power on the shelf. Tip-off is set for 7:00 ET, and the final injury report paints a very different path to victory for both teams. Houston (30–17) will be without Kevin Durant for the first time this season due to injury, while Indiana (13–36) continues to battle without Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin.

With both sides coming off home wins this weekend, the question is simple: who replaces the missing playmaking and shot creation when the game tightens late?

Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers injury report (final)

The NBA’s 2:45 p.m. ET injury report confirms Houston has ruled out three key veterans: Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain), Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair), and Steven Adams (left ankle surgery). Durant’s absence is the headline. He had missed two earlier games for personal reasons, but this is his first missed game for injury in 2025–26.

Durant’s season has been highly efficient and steady — roughly 26.2–27.4 points per game, 5.4–6.0 rebounds, and 4.6–5.4 assists on 51.0% FG and 40.5% from three across 45 outings. As Underdog NBA posted on Feb. 1: “Kevin Durant (ankle) listed out for Monday.”

Houston is 2–0 without Durant so far, and the depth pieces will again be under the spotlight. Alperen Sengun should see more touches inside, while Amen Thompson takes on more ball-handling and drive creation. Wings Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Okogie, Jae’Sean Tate, and rookie guard Reed Sheppard figure to soak up shots and minutes. Thompson is averaging 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists recently, and Sheppard has chipped in 11.8 points, plus secondary playmaking.

Two season-long storylines continue for the Rockets: VanVleet has not played since his September ACL tear, and Adams’ ankle surgery, announced Jan. 28, ends his season after 32 games (5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists). That’s a lot of veteran know-how on ice, but Houston’s young core has handled the load well.

“If KD sits, Amen has to be the engine—let Sengun cook inside.”

Pacers injury update: Haliburton and Toppin still out

Indiana’s list is familiar but painful: Tyrese Haliburton remains out with a right Achilles tendon tear, and Obi Toppin continues his recovery from a right foot stress fracture. Head coach Rick Carlisle offered a cautious update on Toppin: “He’s ahead of schedule, technically. He’s back on the court doing things. But he’ll be a while, it’ll be a bit longer.”

Two-way players Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson are listed as doubtful. That leaves Indiana leaning even more on Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam to steady the offense, along with their role players to fill in the gaps.

The Pacers just beat the Hawks at home behind a big showing from their makeshift lead duo. Nembhard delivered 26 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists, while Siakam added 25 points and six boards. Those two will again shoulder the shot creation and late-game touches against a switch-heavy Rockets group.

“Nembhard’s the steady hand, but who creates when Houston traps?”

Recent form and what changes without Kevin Durant

The Rockets arrive off a confidence-boosting win over the Mavericks, keyed by Amen Thompson’s 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists and Jabari Smith Jr.’s 19 and eight. Without Durant, Houston’s offense gets more spread out. Expect more dribble-drive from Thompson, more elbow touches and post actions for Sengun, and more catch-and-shoot chances for role wings.

This setup can keep Houston’s tempo and spacing strong, but it puts a premium on ball security and defensive rebounding. Finney-Smith and Okogie’s perimeter defense becomes extra valuable against Indiana’s cutters and Siakam’s quick face-ups.

Pacers’ path without Haliburton and Toppin

Indiana’s formula is clear: Nembhard manages the game, Siakam attacks mismatches, and the rest of the roster plays fast off the ball. Without Haliburton’s elite pace and passing, the halfcourt execution must be sharp. The Pacers’ ball movement looked crisp versus Atlanta, but Houston’s length and activity are a different test.

Toppin’s absence affects the vertical spacing and rim pressure. Carlisle’s note that Toppin is “a while” from a return keeps a lid on the frontcourt rotation, meaning extra minutes for depth bigs and wings to cover the glass and run.

“Line feels light at -5.5 if Houston controls the glass.”

Odds, trends, and the stakes tonight

Books have Houston favored by 5.5 points. The Rockets are the better team by record and are comfortable winning in different styles, even short-handed. The Pacers are 10–16 at home (3–20 away), while Houston is 30–17 overall and 2–0 without Durant this season.

Context matters. Both teams are fresh off wins — Houston over Dallas, Indiana over Atlanta — and both will try to bottle that momentum. The matchup likely swings on who wins the turnover battle and which side’s role players hit open threes. If Houston’s defense sets the tone early, the Rockets can grind to the finish. If Indiana’s cutters and second-chance points spark runs, this line tightens fast.

Players to watch

• Amen Thompson (Rockets): On-ball spark plug whose rim pressure replaces some of Durant’s late-clock shot creation.
• Alperen Sengun (Rockets): The hub. His passing and post scoring can bend Indiana’s help defense and free shooters.
• Andrew Nembhard (Pacers): The primary decision-maker with Haliburton out; he will see traps and pressure.
• Pascal Siakam (Pacers): Indiana’s go-to scorer; how he handles length from Finney-Smith/Tate will be pivotal.
• Reed Sheppard (Rockets): Floor spacing and timely cuts matter; any burst scoring from him tilts the bench minutes.

Big picture

For Houston, this is about staying on track in the West while keeping Durant’s ankle a short-term story. Winning on the road with defense, depth, and poise would be another box checked for a team learning to win in different ways.

For Indiana, it’s about proving they can compete without their star guard and a key forward, using pace, ball movement, and toughness at home. Nembhard and Siakam have the tools to keep them in it; the question is whether the supporting cast can finish plays against a long, disciplined defense.

Final word: the stars are out, but the stakes are clear. The team that protects the ball, punches first on the glass, and finds late-game answers from its secondary creators will take this interconference test.