Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell could make his season debut against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. ET tip-off.
Depleted Roster Faces International Matchup Without Key Players
The Pacers enter the international matchup with a depleted roster. In addition to McConnell’s potential return, Kelly Oubre Jr. was upgraded to questionable on Friday after missing the team’s previous two games. Head coach Rick Carlisle previously described a strain involving Tyrese Haliburton as mild, placing him on a week-to-week timeline. Haliburton, who returned this season from a torn right Achilles that cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign, did not travel to Mexico City, as he remains in Indianapolis for rehab related to a left Achilles injury, according to Yahoo Sports.
Atmosphere and Altitude in Mexico City
Saturday’s game marks the 35th NBA game played in Mexico since 1992 and the 16th regular-season contest held in the country. The Pacers, playing their first game in Mexico, designated themselves as the home team and coordinated a “gold out,” providing commemorative T-shirts for every seat in the venue.
The high altitude of Mexico City—averaging 7,350 feet above sea level—presents a physical challenge for players, sitting roughly 2,000 feet higher than Denver. Oubre, who played in Mexico City in 2019, recalled how his team prepared for the altitude.
Coach made it a point to open up our lungs,
Oubre said. We did some sprints, we did a lot of running, things to stay active and just kind of break in our bodies for this altitude.
Pacers upgraded both T. J. McConnell and Kelly Oubre Jr. to questionable for Saturday’s game vs Nuggets — in Mexico City. DeMar DeRozan (low back spasms) is probable.
Carlisle, who coached the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City in 2017 and 2019, expressed enthusiasm for the international showcase. This arena is spectacular,
Carlisle said. I think this arena is a little bigger than a lot of the NBA arenas… It’s a full sellout. The fans are very enthusiastic, they go crazy for NBA basketball. We’re looking forward to it.
Nuggets Open as Favorites Against Undermanned Pacers Squad
The Nuggets enter the game as favorites, with the spread set at 7.5 points. Betting markets suggest a 75% probability of a Denver victory. Analysts note that while Denver has scored 113.3 points per game, the total points line of 229.5 may be inflated; some models project a final score closer to 115-109, favoring an outcome under the current market price. Denver holds a 4-3 record this season, while the Pacers enter at 3-6.
Pascal Siakam remains a primary offensive threat for Indiana, averaging 21.3 points and 7.1 rebounds. With Tyrese Haliburton unavailable due to a hamstring injury, the team has relied on other options while T.J. McConnell has been sidelined. For Denver, Jamal Murray leads the team with 25 points per game, while Nikola Jokić has recorded three triple-doubles through seven games.
The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV and available via NBA League Pass.
