Six Pacers played 35 minutes on Monday, and Braden Smith's 10 assists were the most useful line of them

Indiana's box score from Monday's 108-104 loss to Atlanta reads like a summer league roster, and that is the first thing a fantasy manager should keep in mind before chasing any of it. ESPN's recap lists 11 Pacers out, among them Tyrese Haliburton with his hamstring, Pascal Siakam for rest, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith on the second night of a back-to-back, and Kelly Oubre Jr. as a late scratch with a bruised knee, and Rick Carlisle gave the reason before the game as "Injury management." Six players logged 35 minutes or more, led by Jarace Walker at 45.

The best of those lines belonged to Braden Smith, the rookie point guard on a two-way contract, who started and finished with 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting, 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and a block in 42 minutes. Under ESPN's standard scoring that was worth 53 fantasy points, after he had played 18 minutes across his four previous appearances combined. It was a real night of playmaking, and it was also a night made almost entirely by who was not there.

Every player in this story is on the fantasy basketball rankings and the 2026-27 projections, and the NBA depth charts show where each one stands in his team’s rotation tonight.