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The next Lakers vs Pacers game is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2027, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Los Angeles enters the 2026-27 season with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves leading a revamped roster, while Indiana expects Tyrese Haliburton to return after missing the 2025-26 season.
Key Takeaways
- The Lakers and Pacers are scheduled to meet on January 28, 2027, in Indianapolis.
- The 2026-27 matchup will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- The Lakers won both regular-season meetings between the teams in 2025-26.
- Los Angeles leads the regular-season series 69-35 through the 2025-26 season.
- The teams previously met in the 2000 NBA Finals, when the Lakers won the championship series 4-2.
Lakers vs Pacers: Next Game
The next scheduled Lakers vs Pacers matchup is one of the notable games on Indiana’s 2026-27 home schedule.
The Lakers will travel to Indianapolis to face the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday, January 28, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game is currently listed as a League Pass broadcast on the official NBA schedule.
Game Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers |
| Date | January 28, 2027 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Location | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| City | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Lakers | Away |
| Pacers | Home |
| Broadcast listing | League Pass |
The matchup comes during a demanding stretch for Los Angeles. The Lakers are scheduled to play Oklahoma City on January 26 before visiting Indiana on January 28. They then continue their road trip against the New York Knicks on January 30 and Charlotte Hornets on January 31.
Recent Lakers vs Pacers Results
The Lakers won both meetings between these teams during the 2025-26 regular season.
Los Angeles defeated Indiana 128-117 on March 6, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers then won the rematch 137-130 on March 25, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The previous season also ended with two Lakers victories. Los Angeles won 124-117 at home on February 8, 2025, before winning a much closer 120-119 game in Indianapolis on March 26, 2025.
| Season | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | March 6, 2026 | Lakers 128, Pacers 117 |
| 2025-26 | March 25, 2026 | Lakers 137, Pacers 130 |
| 2024-25 | February 8, 2025 | Lakers 124, Pacers 117 |
| 2024-25 | March 26, 2025 | Lakers 120, Pacers 119 |
That gives the Lakers a four-game regular-season winning streak against Indiana entering the 2026-27 matchup.
Lakers vs Pacers Head-to-Head Record
Through the end of the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers and Pacers had played 104 regular-season games.
The Lakers held a 69-35 regular-season record against Indiana. The Lakers also won both meetings in 2025-26.
Their regular-season head-to-head scoring averages show a relatively high-scoring historical matchup. Across their regular-season meetings, the Lakers have averaged 107.4 points per game, while the Pacers have averaged 104.3.
| Category | Lakers | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Regular-season wins | 69 | 35 |
| Regular-season games | 104 | 104 |
| Historical points per game | 107.4 | 104.3 |
| 2025-26 record vs. each other | 2-0 | 0-2 |
The broader record changes slightly when playoff and other postseason meetings are included. One historical database lists 111 total meetings, with Los Angeles holding a 74-37 advantage through the 2025-26 season.
Lakers vs Pacers History
The most famous chapter of this matchup came in the 2000 NBA Finals.
The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and a young Kobe Bryant, faced the Indiana Pacers, whose core included Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose. Los Angeles won the series 4-2 to claim the franchise’s 12th NBA championship at the time.
The series included several memorable games. The Lakers won the first two games before Indiana took Game 3. In Game 4, Los Angeles won 120-118 in overtime in Indianapolis, with Kobe Bryant playing a major role late in the game.
Indiana then won Game 5 by a wide margin, 120-87, but Los Angeles closed the series in Game 6 with a 116-111 victory. Shaquille O’Neal scored 41 points and earned Finals MVP honors.
That 2000 series remains the only NBA Finals matchup between the Lakers and Pacers.
2026-27 Lakers vs Pacers Matchup
The 2026-27 meeting will feature teams with substantially different circumstances from their 2000-era predecessors.
Lakers: Luka Dončić Leads a New-Look Team
The Lakers enter the season with Luka Dončić as their central star. NBA.com’s 2026-27 season preview notes that Dončić led Los Angeles to 53 wins in the previous season, won his second scoring title, and earned First Team All-NBA honors.
Los Angeles also made significant roster changes during the offseason. The team’s additions include Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton and Kevon Looney, among others. Austin Reaves remains another important part of the team’s core.
The 2026-27 Lakers also begin the season without LeBron James, who signed with Philadelphia during the offseason. That makes the upcoming season a different roster era for Los Angeles.
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton Returns
Indiana’s 2026-27 season brings a major change of its own.
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return after missing the entire 2025-26 season because of a torn Achilles. NBA.com’s Pacers schedule analysis identifies his return as one of the major storylines surrounding the new season.
The Pacers also retain important pieces such as Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith, while adding players including Ivica Zubac, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr.
Indiana’s schedule specifically highlights the January 28 visit from Los Angeles as one of its major Western Conference home games.
Lakers vs Pacers Key Players
Several players could define the matchup when the teams meet.
| Lakers | Pacers |
|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | Tyrese Haliburton |
| Austin Reaves | Pascal Siakam |
| Walker Kessler | Andrew Nembhard |
| Collin Sexton | Aaron Nesmith |
| Matisse Thybulle | Ivica Zubac |
These names reflect the teams’ current 2026-27 roster construction, but final lineups, injuries and available players can change before the January meeting.
Lakers vs Pacers: What Makes This Matchup Interesting?
This matchup connects two teams from different conferences and different stages of roster development.
For Los Angeles, the game will be part of a long road stretch that begins in late January. The Lakers are scheduled to visit Indiana, New York, Charlotte, Boston, Brooklyn, San Antonio and Phoenix during that portion of the season.
For Indiana, the game is one of its highlighted Western Conference home dates. The Pacers’ schedule also includes visits from the Timberwolves, Warriors, Thunder, Mavericks and Spurs during the season.
The historical angle adds another layer. Fans looking at Lakers vs Pacers are not just seeing two teams with a long regular-season history. They are also revisiting a matchup that once decided the NBA championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Lakers play the Pacers?
The Lakers are scheduled to play the Pacers on Thursday, January 28, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with Indiana listed as the home team.
Who won the last Lakers vs Pacers game?
The Lakers won the most recent meeting, defeating the Pacers 137-130 on March 25, 2026, in Indianapolis. Los Angeles also won the previous meeting, 128-117, on March 6, 2026.
What is the Lakers vs Pacers all-time record?
In regular-season games through 2025-26, the Lakers lead the Pacers 69-35. When postseason meetings are included, the Lakers’ advantage is 74-37 through the same point in time.
Did the Lakers and Pacers play in the NBA Finals?
Yes. The Lakers and Pacers met in the 2000 NBA Finals. Los Angeles won the series 4-2, with Shaquille O’Neal winning Finals MVP.
Where is the next Lakers vs Pacers game?
The next scheduled meeting is at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 28, 2027. Indiana will host Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The Lakers vs Pacers matchup combines a long NBA history with a new chapter for both teams. Los Angeles enters the 2026-27 season with Luka Dončić leading its roster, while Indiana looks forward to Tyrese Haliburton’s return. The teams are scheduled to meet on January 28, 2027, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Lakers currently hold the stronger historical regular-season record and won both meetings during the 2025-26 season. However, past results do not determine what will happen in the next matchup. With changing rosters, returning players, and a full NBA season ahead, the January meeting should provide a fresh look at this long-running interconference matchup
I am Samuel Brooks, a Christian author who enjoys breaking down complex Bible concepts into simple truths. At Biblicaltribez.com, I write content that inspires faith, hope, and spiritual growth. I aim to help readers connect Scripture with real life challenges in a meaningful way.
