The Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards return to action after the All-Star break with an Eastern Conference matchup at Capital One Arena on February 19, 2026. This game features two teams sitting at the bottom of the standings and already shifting their focus toward the future. Both sides are dealing with multiple injuries, roster uncertainty, and lineup changes, which makes this contest difficult to predict but important for evaluating young players.
Indiana enters the game with slightly better recent momentum after winning two straight before the break, while Washington is struggling on a losing streak and continues to manage player minutes. With key stars unavailable on both sides and both teams ranking among the lowest-scoring units in the conference, this matchup is expected to be competitive but inconsistent in terms of offensive flow. Here is the full preview, including standings, recent performance, injuries, key players, head-to-head history, odds, and best picks.
Match Details
| Match | Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards |
|---|---|
| Date | February 19, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET (5:30 AM IST, Feb 20) |
| Venue | Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| Broadcast | FanDuel Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, NBA League Pass |
| Spread | Pacers -3.5 |
| Total | 232.5 points |
Current Standings & Season Overview
| Team | Record | East Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 15–40 | 14th |
| Washington Wizards | 14–39 | 15th |
Both teams are far from playoff contention and are among the lowest-ranked teams in the conference. Indiana holds a slight edge in the standings and overall form.
Recent Form & Last Games
Indiana Pacers
- Entered the break with two straight wins
- Beat Brooklyn 115–110 in the last game
- 3–3 ATS in last six games
- Overall road record: 5–22
Washington Wizards
- Lost last game 138–113 vs Cleveland
- On a three-game losing streak
- Failed to cover in last three games
- Defensive struggles, allowing 117+ points in five straight games
Indiana has shown some improvement, while Washington continues to struggle on both ends of the floor.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2025 | Pacers 119–86 Wizards |
| Dec 14, 2025 | Wizards 108–89 Pacers |
The season series is currently tied 1–1, with both teams winning comfortably on their home floors.
Injury Report (Latest)
Pacers Injuries
- Tyrese Haliburton – Out (Achilles)
- Pascal Siakam – Out
- Ivica Zubac – Out
- Obi Toppin – Out
- Johnny Furphy – Out (season)
- T.J. McConnell – Questionable
- Aaron Nesmith – Questionable
- Micah Potter – Questionable
Wizards Injuries
- Alex Sarr – Out
- Trae Young – Out
- Anthony Davis – Out
- Cam Whitmore – Out
- D’Angelo Russell – Out/Not with team
Both teams are heavily short-handed, but Indiana’s injury list is longer.
Key Players to Watch
Indiana Pacers
- Andrew Nembhard – expected to handle major playmaking duties
- Jarace Walker – scoring option in a thin rotation
- Team averaging around 111 points per game, but offense remains inconsistent
Washington Wizards
- Tre Johnson – young scorer and strong perimeter shooter (38.6% from three)
- Kyshawn George – rotation contributor
- Wizards averaging around 112 points per game, but efficiency remains low
Player Prop to Watch:
Tre Johnson Over 1.5 three-pointers (hit in 10 of last 15 games)
Team Trends & Game Analysis
- Pacers have the worst road offensive rating in the NBA (105.8)
- Both teams rank 25th or lower in scoring
- Previous meetings produced 205 and 197 total points
- Washington has covered 7 of last 8 home games vs losing teams
- Both teams are using young lineups and managing minutes
The pace could fluctuate, but roster uncertainty and scoring inconsistency point toward a controlled game.
Odds Overview
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Pacers -155 / Wizards +125 |
| Spread | Pacers -3.5 |
| Total | 232.5 |
Most projections favor Indiana due to slightly better form and recent head-to-head success.
Best Picks & Predictions
Match Prediction:
Indiana Pacers to win
Spread Pick:
Pacers -3.5
Total Pick:
Under 232.5 (low offensive efficiency and injury impact)
Same-Game Lean
- Andrew Nembhard Over 8.5 assists
- Jarace Walker Under 17.5 points
Final Score Prediction
Indiana Pacers 121 – Washington Wizards 114
Indiana’s slightly stronger form and playmaking advantage give them the edge, but the game is expected to remain close due to roster limitations on both sides.
This matchup is more about development than results, with both teams already looking toward the future. The Pacers have a small advantage thanks to better recent rhythm and head-to-head balance. However, with multiple key players unavailable and both offenses ranking near the bottom of the league, expect an uneven but competitive game where defense and depth could decide the outcome.
