RADIO
Kelly Oubre Jr. Could Miss Another Game Saturday
Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets in Mexico City. Oubre has not played since Nov. 1, when he finished with 11 points and two rebounds in 20 minutes against Brooklyn. The 30-year-old is averaging 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 23.1 minutes during his first season with Indiana, but his 25.9% shooting from deep has limited his fantasy appeal. If Oubre sits again, Jarace Walker should remain in line for additional wing and frontcourt minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kelly Oubre Jr. Misses Second Straight Game
Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a left calf contusion. Oubre was also a late scratch Monday against Atlanta due to a bruised left knee, so this will be his second straight absence. He is averaging 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists through seven games in his first season with Indiana. Jarace Walker should remain involved after averaging 31.0 minutes over his last three games, though the returns of Obi Toppin and Ivica Zubac could keep his workload from reaching Monday's 45-minute mark again. Oubre's next chance to return comes Saturday against Denver.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Obi Toppin Cleared to Play Wednesday
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing three straight contests with a lumbar strain. Toppin's back tightened up before shootaround in Miami on Oct. 30, but he is ready to return after nearly a week on the sidelines. The 28-year-old was playing well before the injury, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 22.8 minutes while shooting 53.8% from the field. With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) sidelined, Toppin should get every chance to return to that workload, which could cut into Jarace Walker's minutes now that Ivica Zubac (ankle) is cleared as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Obi Toppin Iffy Against Brooklyn
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after missing Friday's loss to Miami with low back soreness. The 28-year-old has been one of Indiana's most productive reserves, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 22.8 minutes while shooting 53.8 percent from the field. Ivica Zubac (ankle) is still out, so getting Toppin back would give the Pacers some much-needed frontcourt scoring. If he sits again, Jarace Walker and Kobe Brown could pick up more minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Obi Toppin Downgraded to Out Friday
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (back) has been ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Miami Heat after being added to the injury report with low back soreness. The 28-year-old has been one of Indiana's most productive reserves, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 22.8 minutes while shooting 53.8 percent from the field. His absence leaves the Pacers even thinner up front with Ivica Zubac (ankle) also out. Jay Huff could be asked to handle more of the work at the center, while Jarace Walker and Kelly Oubre Jr. should have a little more room in the forward rotation.
Source: Scott Agness
Source: Scott Agness
Aaron Nesmith Ruled Out on Wednesday
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) will miss Wednesday's regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. Nesmith was sidelined for Indiana's final two preseason games with a left hamstring strain, and he'll next have the chance to return Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. The 27-year-old averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last season while shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three-point range. Nesmith is expected to reclaim his starting role once healthy. In the meantime, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and Kelly Oubre could see increased playing time, making them worth monitoring in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Larry Nance Jr. Limited at Start of Pacers Camp
Indiana Pacers forward/center Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) is limited to 5-on-0 work at the start of training camp, according to Tony East of Forbes. Head coach Rick Carlisle said the 33-year-old suffered the injury a little over two weeks ago and expressed optimism that Nance could be a full participant within another week or two. Nance averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes across 35 games with Cleveland last season. With Ivica Zubac and Jay Huff already in the center rotation, Nance may have to settle for a smaller reserve role once healthy, keeping his fantasy appeal fairly limited.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
James Johnson Returns to Pacers on Exhibit 9 Deal
Forward James Johnson is returning to the Indiana Pacers on a training camp deal, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. The IndyStar reports that the contract is a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deal. The 39-year-old sat out the 2025-26 season after appearing in just 39 games across three previous seasons with Indiana, averaging 6.3 minutes. Johnson remains valued more for his veteran presence than his on-court production. Indiana is only about $2.2 million below the first apron, and keeping Johnson on a veteran minimum deal would cost roughly $2.4 million against the cap. That makes his chances of sticking on the opening-night roster slim, and he remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Kelly Oubre Jr. Set for Heavy Bench Minutes
Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. could play the most minutes off the bench this season, according to Pacers On SI's Alex Golden. Oubre signed a two-year deal worth nearly $17 million in July, giving Indiana a veteran wing to help replace the role Bennedict Mathurin left behind in the Ivica Zubac trade. The 30-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 50 games with Philadelphia last season while shooting a career-best 36.0 percent from three. Tyrese Haliburton's return and Zubac's interior role should push Oubre toward more cutting, corner shooting, and defensive work than shot creation. His steals can travel, but the fantasy ceiling depends on minutes and whether the shooting holds.
Source: Alex Golden
Source: Alex Golden
Trail Blazers Claim Micah Potter Off Waivers
The Portland Trail Blazers have claimed forward/center Micah Potter off waivers from the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The Pacers recently cut Potter to make room for the newly signed Larry Nance Jr. on the roster. Potter has moved around in the league since joining the Detroit Pistons in 2021. He averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 19.3 minutes per game in 47 contests with the Pacers this past season. He figures to mix in somewhere on the bench in Portland, but is unlikely to see consistent enough playing time to warrant adding in fantasy basketball.
Source: Sean Highkin
Source: Sean Highkin
Larry Nance Jr. Lands One-Year Deal With Pacers
Free-agent forward/center Larry Nance Jr. agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 33-year-old spent last season with Cleveland, averaging 3.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while playing a limited role. Nance gives Indiana another veteran frontcourt piece who can rebound, pass, and defend multiple spots, but his fantasy ceiling remains low without a clear path to steady minutes. He would need injuries or a larger-than-expected bench role to become more than a situational fantasy option.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
