Miami Heat to Host Indiana Pacers for NBA Cup Game
The Heat look to build on their season-opening win this Friday night.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe your local team can successfully overcome key roster injuries this season?
The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers this Friday for an NBA Cup game following a season-opening victory. Bam Adebayo enters the matchup as the Heat's new all-time leader in career rebounds.
Why it matters
The game marks an early test in the NBA Cup tournament for a Heat team coming off a 129-117 win against the Atlanta Hawks. The outcome will shape early-season momentum for the squad in Miami.
Bam Adebayo recorded 24 points in Wednesday's win, bringing his career total to 5,794 rebounds and surpassing Udonis Haslem's franchise record of 5,791. It remains unknown if Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will return sooner than his expected two-week absence due to a hamstring strain.
The players
Bam Adebayo
The Miami Heat center who recently became the franchise's all-time leading rebounder.
Lloyd Pierce
The Indiana Pacers interim coach managing the team during Rick Carlisle's absence.
Rick Carlisle
The Indiana Pacers head coach who is absent from the game to attend his father's funeral.
Tyrese Haliburton
The Indiana Pacers guard who is unavailable for the game due to a left hamstring strain.
The details
The Heat face an Indiana side led by interim coach Lloyd Pierce, who steps in as Rick Carlisle attends his father's funeral. The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, while the Heat look to capitalize on their recent offensive momentum. Fans can look for lineup adjustments on both sides as tournament play begins.
Timeline
The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
Preston Carlisle passed away on Oct. 3 at age 96.
The Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 129-117 on Wednesday.
Beyond the 305
This matchup is part of the NBA Cup tournament, which organizes early-season games into a bracketed competition. The structure follows the precedent set by the league to increase competitive stakes during the opening month of the regular season.
Fans heading to the arena should anticipate potential lineup changes for the Pacers, including the absence of key players. Keep an eye on local reporting for updates on tip-off times and any last-minute injury designations for the home team.
The takeaway
Bam Adebayo's historic rebound milestone marks a new chapter for the franchise. Track the Heat's tournament progress as they adjust their rotation to cover for player absences across the league.
Further reading
For more on the team's tournament run, visit the Basketball page.
Live Poll
Do you believe your local team can successfully overcome key roster injuries this season?
