The Indiana Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA Preseason matchup on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the United States (19:00 local venue time), with live broadcast coverage available on WCGV, NBA League Pass, DAZN, and Bucks+.
The matchup closes out the preseason schedule for both Eastern Conference franchises. The Indiana Pacers enter the contest with a 1-2 exhibition record, while the Milwaukee Bucks hold a 1-3 mark after losing 125-104 to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday (14). Both teams missed the playoffs in the 2025-26 regular season, when the Milwaukee Bucks finished with a 32-50 record—snapping a nine-year postseason streak—and the Indiana Pacers finished 14th at 19-63. In their most recent official head-to-head meeting, played on March 15, 2026, in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 134-123.
Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks live
Basketball fans in the United States have four confirmed broadcast and streaming options to follow the preseason game live:
- WCGV (over-the-air TV)
- NBA League Pass (streaming)
- DAZN (streaming)
- Bucks+ (streaming)
Time and venue for Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Below are the confirmed scheduling and venue details for the matchup in Indianapolis:
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Start time: 7 p.m. in the U.S. (19:00 local time in Indianapolis)
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis
- Competition and stage: NBA — Preseason
Read also: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
How the Indiana Pacers enter the game
Led by head coach Rick Carlisle, who has been in charge of the franchise since the 2021-22 season, the Indiana Pacers feature the return of point guard Tyrese Haliburton during this preseason. The player missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Speaking about his recovery and preparation, Haliburton stated: “I feel like I’m stronger. I feel like that will help me with more physical matchups, which I’m excited about seeing — how I stack up against more physical defenders as time goes on. And then I think just watching the game and sitting with the coaches and understanding the way they think has helped.”
The projected starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers for the 2026-27 season includes Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Jay Huff. However, because this is the final preseason test, the coaching staff has rotated the roster, rested starters, and limited minutes for athletes returning from injury, leaving the final starting five for this game unconfirmed. The roster also features Ivica Zubac, T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, and new additions Kelly Oubre Jr., Larry Nance Jr., and James Johnson. On the injury report, guard-forward Johnny Furphy is ruled out with a knee injury, while Aaron Nesmith (hamstring), T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Jarace Walker were listed as day-to-day game-time decisions during the week, alongside Haliburton under load management.
How the Milwaukee Bucks enter the game
The Milwaukee Bucks are commanded by head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was hired on April 30, 2026, and officially introduced in May 2026 to replace Doc Rivers following his departure on April 13, 2026. The franchise begins the 2026-27 campaign without power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, who were traded to the Miami Heat on July 6, 2026, in a deal that brought Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakučionis to Milwaukee. Regarding the roster overhaul, Jenkins said: “We truly are invested in building the next great era of Bucks basketball. It’s not just a tagline. That’s something shared throughout the entire organization.”
Alongside Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware, the main roster of the Milwaukee Bucks includes center Myles Turner—a former Indiana Pacers player—Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins, Caris LeVert, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Ousmane Dieng, and 2026 NBA Draft lottery rookies Brayden Burries (10th overall pick) and Nate Ament. In the previous exhibition game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday (14), both Myles Turner and guard-forward Kevin Porter Jr. were rested, and the definite starting lineup for Friday’s game has not been confirmed. Addressing outside expectations for the team, guard Tyler Herro declared: “People feel like we’re not going to win games, we’re not going to be in the talks of anything that has to do with winning. I feel like that’s the opposite of what we’re thinking. We’re trying to win.”
Read also: Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
Officiating for Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
The officiating crew for the matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks had not been announced prior to game day, as the NBA officially publishes referee assignments on the morning of each contest.
Head-to-head history and next games for Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks
In the last official game between the two teams, on March 15, 2026, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 134-123 in Milwaukee during the 2025-26 regular season, a matchup in which Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points for the home side and small forward Aaron Nesmith recorded 32 points for the visitors.
Following Friday’s preseason finale, both teams turn their attention to the opening night of the 2026-27 NBA regular season on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. On that date, the Indiana Pacers face the New Orleans Pelicans at 8 p.m. ET, while the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET. The first regular-season meeting between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers in the 2026-27 campaign is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee.