The Milwaukee Bucks are heading to Indianapolis for a Monday night showdown against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And all eyes are on whether superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will suit up. With the Bucks sitting at 4-2 to start the season and the Pacers fighting at 1-5, this matchup carries weight for both teams as they look to move in opposite directions. Giannis’s availability has become the central question heading into the tip-off, as Milwaukee deals with injuries to key roster pieces.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable for tonight’s game against the Pacers due to left knee patellar tendinopathy. This classification means there’s a strong likelihood he will be available, though his status could change ahead of the tipoff. The Greek forward recently returned to action after missing a game with knee soreness, showing he’s managing the injury within game situations.

Despite the knee issue keeping him off the court briefly, Giannis demonstrated he’s ready to contribute when available. In the Bucks’ most recent outing against Sacramento, he put up 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 8 assists, though Milwaukee fell short 135-133 in that loss. His presence on the floor matters for a Bucks team trying to build consistency in the early season.

The team is expected to have him in the lineup unless something changes during warm-ups or pregame treatment. Giannis leads Milwaukee in scoring this season at 34.2 points per game and rebounding at 13.4 rebounds per game, making his availability crucial to the team’s chances of bouncing back from their Sacramento setback.

The Pacers are dealing with a staggering injury list that has decimated their roster early in the season. Tyrese Haliburton, their star point guard, is out for the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an Achilles tear during the NBA Finals. Andrew Nembhard remains sidelined with a shoulder strain from the season opener against Oklahoma City. Obi Toppin underwent surgery for a partial stress fracture in his right foot and won’t return until at least February.

Additional injuries have forced the Pacers to get creative with their lineup decisions. Bennedict Mathurin has played in only two games due to a great toe sprain. Rookie Kam Jones is expected to miss until at least November 9 with a lower back injury, while TJ McConnell hasn’t suited up since the preseason due to a hamstring injury. RayJ Dennis is listed as questionable with a lower back sprain, and Johnny Furphy is probable with a bone bruise on his left foot.

The Bucks have issues of their own on the injury front, though their situation is less severe than Indiana’s predicament. Kevin Porter Jr. remains out with a right knee meniscus tear and won’t return until at least November 28. Beyond Giannis’s probable status with his knee issue, Alex Antetokounmpo and Pete Nance are unavailable as they handle assignments with the G League squad.

Bucks and Pacers predicted lineups

Where to watch the Bucks vs the Pacers game?

• Date: Monday, November 3, 2025

• Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time

• Where to Watch: The game will be broadcast on NBC and can be streamed live on Peacock.

Predictions for tonight’s Bucks vs Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks are predicted to win this game. Despite their recent upset loss and Giannis Antetokounmpo not being at one hundred percent, they face a Pacers team decimated by injuries. Indiana is missing its top playmakers and several core rotation players. The Bucks’ overall firepower and health advantage, even with a less-than-perfect Giannis, should be enough to secure a victory on the road.