RADIO
Ben Sheppard to Miss Third Straight Game
Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. This marks the third game in a row that Sheppard has missed due to a lingering hip issue. His next chance to play will come on Friday, so fantasy managers should check for another update ahead of that contest. Quenton Jackson and Ethan Thompson should see a boost in playing time with Sheppard sidelined. Jackson is the better fantasy option between the two, with 10 or more points scored in three of his last five games.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jarace Walker is Available on Thursday
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (hip) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Walker is dealing with a hip issue, but it won't be enough to hold him out of this contest. He finished with 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds across 28 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. Given the injuries to this roster, Walker is likely going to continue playing significant minutes over the final few games of the regular season. He's usually a consistent enough contributor to be trusted as a DFS option ahead of Thursday's game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jarace Walker May Exit Pacers Lineup Again Thursday
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (back) could be back in street clothes on Thursday night, as the team has listed him as questionable for a meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker shook off a back injury to end a four-game absence on Tuesday against Minnesota, recording 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. If he plays on Thursday, Walker is expected to see higher offensive usage again, as Indiana will remain without Pascal Siakam (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (back). Walker's absence would open up more playing time for Obi Toppin, Jalen Slawson, and Kobe Brown (back).
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Nesmith Out for Sixth Consecutive Game
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (neck) will sit out Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, missing his sixth consecutive game. Health issues have limited Nesmith to just 45 outings this campaign, and there's no point in bringing him back for the final regular-season games. Pascal Siakam (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (back) are also out, so reserves like Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson, and Quenton Jackson will have more prominent roles in a favorable fantasy matchup. Given how poor both defenses have been this season, it should be a free-scoring game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell Unavailable Thursday
Indiana Pacers guards Andrew Nembhard (back) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will remain out on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. Both players exited the lineup at the start of the month and will sit out a fifth consecutive game, as Nembhard is dealing with a back problem and McConnell is managing a hamstring injury. With the two playmakers sidelined, Indiana will continue to rely more on Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson, and Kam Jones in the backcourt. Of the trio, Thompson had the best outing in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, tallying a team-high 17 points. Thompson formed the starting backcourt with Jackson, who finished with nine points, four assists, and one steal.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Remains Out on Thursday
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. This marks the third game in a row that Siakam has missed due to a lingering ankle injury. The Pacers are eliminated from playoff contention, so there's no reason to play Siakam at less than 100 percent health. There's a good chance that Siakam is done for the season, but his next chance to play will come on Friday. Obi Toppin should be a more attractive streaming choice and DFS option with Siakam sidelined. Toppin finished with 14 points and three rebounds across 22 minutes on Tuesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Nembhard Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) will remain sidelined on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's on the injury report due to thoracic and lumbar injury management, sitting out a fourth consecutive contest. With Nembhard out of the picture, Quenton Jackson has enjoyed a stint as a starter and is expected to lead the backcourt again, especially with T.J. McConnell (hamstring) also unavailable. Jackson has averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game since Nembhard departed the lineup. Kam Jones and Ethan Thompson also benefit from Nembhard's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Unavailable Tuesday Night
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (ankle) will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Cameroonian star injured his left ankle on Friday night against Charlotte and could be done for the rest of the season. After Tuesday, the Pacers will have only three more games to go. Jalen Slawson stepped into the first unit as Siakam's replacement on Sunday against Cleveland and is likely to maintain the spot after a productive outing. Across a team-high 33 minutes, Slawson had 19 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Ruled Out Sunday
Indiana Pacers forward/center Pascal Siakam (ankle) will not play Sunday against Cleveland after suffering an ankle injury in his last outing. His absence could move Obi Toppin into a larger role, with the athletic forward posting 11 points, three three-pointers, four rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes off the bench in his last game. Kobe Brown also impressed with 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes and could remain fantasy relevant in deeper formats. If Jarace Walker (back) remains out, both Toppin and Brown become viable short-term streaming options.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Nembhard Ruled Out Vs. Cleveland
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) will not play Sunday against Cleveland as he continues to manage a lingering back issue. His absence should keep Quenton Jackson in a starting role after he produced 16 points, two three-pointers, three rebounds, five assists and one steal in 25 minutes during his last outing. Ethan Thompson logged 30 minutes off the bench and could remain in the rotation, while Taelon Peter offers deep-league streaming appeal for managers chasing three-pointers. With multiple Pacers guards sidelined, Jackson looks like the safest short-term assist streamer until Nembhard returns.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Exits Early Friday Due to Back Injury
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (back) didn't finish Friday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. He missed the final few minutes of the game, with the team announcing that Siakam won't return due to a bruised lower back. Before exiting with 3:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, Siakam had an excellent performance. He finished with a game-high 30 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 34 minutes. Siakam's early exit on Friday night leaves him questionable for Sunday's meeting with Cleveland. Obi Toppin, Micah Potter, and Jarace Walker (back) would all be candidates for larger roles if Siakam misses time, although the latter has been out of the lineup for the last few games due to a back issue of his own.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
Obi Toppin Ready for Action Friday
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (foot) will play in Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available, clearing the way for Toppin to make his seventh straight appearance. At times, he has been quite productive off the bench, but Toppin finished with only six points, three rebounds, and three assists on Wednesday against Chicago. His impact may be limited again on Friday, as Charlotte gives up the fifth-fewest bench points in the Association.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Good to Go Friday
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (knee) will suit up on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. His status has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of tip-off. Despite health issues, Siakam has played in seven consecutive games. He has averaged 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 30.1 minutes over that span. The four-time All-Star draws a good matchup on Friday, with Charlotte ranked ninth in the league for most points allowed to power forwards.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
T.J. McConnell Ruled Out Friday
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is out for Friday's game against the Hornets, leaving Indiana thin in the backcourt again. Quenton Jackson drew a start last game and finished with eight points, three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 17 minutes, while Ethan Thompson broke out for 24 points with five three-pointers, two rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 31 minutes. Thompson looks like a speculative deep-league add, though his role remains uncertain. Kam Jones could remain a streaming option after handing out seven assists in 25 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Nesmith to Miss Third Straight Game
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (neck) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hornets, marking his third straight absence. His continued absence should keep Kobe Brown in a meaningful role after Brown produced 17 points, one three-pointer, eight rebounds, and six assists in 28 minutes as a spot starter last game. Brown shapes up as a viable deep-league streamer while Indiana remains shorthanded, with Jarace Walker (back) and Andrew Nembhard (back) also sidelined. Pascal Siakam (knee), if active, should continue to carry more of the offense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
