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T.J. McConnell Could Make Season Debut Versus Denver
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets in Mexico City and could make his season debut. The 34-year-old has missed Indiana's first nine games and was still listed as out Wednesday against Memphis, making the upgrade an encouraging sign. McConnell averaged 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists last season. If cleared, he will likely face a minutes restriction, but his return would still cut into Quenton Jackson's playing time and could take some ball-handling work away from rookie Braden Smith while Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Braden Smith Gets Start For Pacers
Former Purdue Boilermaker point guard Braden Smith will get his first career start for the Indiana Pacers when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, according to the team. Smith is averaging 4.5 minutes played in four games this season but will fill in for the extremely shorthanded Pacers team on Monday night. The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, among others, as they will take on the Hawks with Smith getting his first NBA starting nod.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
Andrew Nembhard Good to Go Friday
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (neck) is available for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Miami Heat. Nembhard missed Monday's loss to Milwaukee with neck soreness before returning Wednesday with 18 points, three rebounds, and 14 assists against Philadelphia. The 26-year-old is averaging 16.5 points and 7.8 assists in 32.7 minutes through four appearances. With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) sidelined, Indiana will continue leaning heavily on Nembhard to organize the offense. That should keep his assist upside in a good place while the Pacers remain short on guards.
Source: Scott Agness
Source: Scott Agness
T.J. McConnell Practicing With G-League Team
According to Alex Golden of SI.com, Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) was assigned to the G League's Noblesville Boom on Friday. With the Boom currently holding training camp, McConnell will get additional practice time as he works toward his season debut. The 34-year-old missed the entire preseason and has yet to play this season due to a right hamstring strain. He averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 17.2 minutes per game across 56 contests last campaign. McConnell's fantasy appeal is generally limited to deeper leagues, but he could see increased minutes and provide additional assists and steals if he returns while Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is sidelined for the next couple of weeks.
Source: Alex Golden
Source: Alex Golden
Andrew Nembhard Probable for Friday
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (neck) is probable for Friday's game against the Miami Heat. Nembhard missed Monday's loss to Milwaukee with neck soreness but returned Wednesday, scoring 18 points and adding 14 assists against Philadelphia. Indiana will keep leaning on him while Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) remain out. Nembhard averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 assists last season, so he is comfortable carrying the offense from the point. Pascal Siakam should also get more chances to create, but Nembhard's passing numbers can stay elevated while the Pacers are short on guards.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton Set to Miss Time Due to Hamstring Injury
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) has sustained a left hamstring strain and will miss an undetermined amount of time. Haliburton met with team medical personnel and executives Wednesday afternoon to assess the injury. During an appearance on 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis, head coach Rick Carlisle expressed hope that the injury would not be a long-term issue. The 26-year-old has played in all four of Indiana's games since returning from a torn Achilles, averaging 21.8 points, 9.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per contest. With T.J. McConnell (hamstring) also sidelined and Andrew Nembhard (neck) dealing with an injury, Quenton Jackson could see a larger backcourt role, while Pascal Siakam will likely see more touches, boosting his fantasy value.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Andrew Nembhard Could Miss Second Straight Game
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (neck) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing Monday's loss to Milwaukee. Indiana lists him with neck soreness, though head coach Rick Carlisle said Monday that Nembhard was also dealing with a back issue. The 26-year-old is averaging 16.0 points and 5.7 assists through three games while starting alongside Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring). Kelly Oubre Jr. replaced him in the starting five Monday, while Quenton Jackson picked up extra backcourt minutes. With Haliburton also questionable and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) out, another Nembhard absence would leave Indiana especially thin at guard.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton Iffy for Wednesday
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with left hamstring tightness. The issue is a new concern after Haliburton played in each of Indiana's first four games following his return from a torn Achilles. He has looked sharp so far, averaging 21.8 points, 9.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. T.J. McConnell (hamstring) remains out, while Andrew Nembhard (neck) is also questionable, leaving Indiana thin in the backcourt. If Haliburton sits, Quenton Jackson could see more ball-handling work, while Pascal Siakam would be in line for a larger offensive role.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
T.J. McConnell Out Again Monday
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will miss Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. The 34-year-old has yet to play this season because of a right hamstring strain after also sitting out the entire preseason. McConnell averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 17.2 minutes across 56 games last season, when hamstring trouble contributed to several absences. With Andrew Nembhard (neck, back) and Ben Sheppard (knee) also out, Indiana is thin behind Tyrese Haliburton, giving Quenton Jackson and two-way rookie Braden Smith a chance to pick up additional guard minutes.
Source: Scott Agness
Source: Scott Agness
Andrew Nembhard to Miss First Game of the Season
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (neck, back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 26-year-old opened the day questionable with neck soreness before being ruled out with neck and back issues, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Nembhard has averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.0 steals through three games and will miss his first contest of the season. With T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Ben Sheppard (knee) also sidelined, Quenton Jackson could be asked to cover more backcourt minutes alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Nembhard also missed the final seven games of last season with back and neck trouble, so his status bears watching beyond Monday.
Source: Dustin Dopirak
Source: Dustin Dopirak
Tyrese Haliburton Plans to Play Monday in Milwaukee
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton says he will play Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Tony East, putting him in line to handle both ends of his first back-to-back since returning from a torn right Achilles. The 26-year-old followed Sunday's win over Brooklyn with 24 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists, raising his averages to 21.7 points, 9.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds through three games. Playing again Monday is an encouraging early sign for his workload, though Indiana could still manage him selectively as the season progresses.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
T.J. McConnell Out of Action on Wednesday
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will miss Wednesday's regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. McConnell was sidelined for the entire preseason with a hamstring injury after playing just 56 games last season while dealing with similar issues. Once healthy, the 34-year-old is expected to serve as Indiana's backup point guard, but his return timeline remains unclear.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyrese Haliburton Scores 24 Points in Return to Oklahoma City
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in just 18 minutes during Tuesday's 114-112 overtime preseason loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, adding five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Haliburton shot 9-for-14 from the field and 4-for-6 from three, with all 24 points coming before halftime. It was his first game at Paycom Center since tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he showed little hesitation after sitting out Saturday with a minor ankle issue. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists in his last healthy season, and Tuesday's outing was an encouraging sign that his scoring and playmaking are coming back quickly.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tyrese Haliburton Tweaks Right Ankle, Hopeful to Play on Tuesday
Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) is dealing with a minor ankle injury but is expected to be fine for the season opener. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton sustained a minor tweak to his right ankle. "He was limited yesterday in practice," Carlisle said. "Did an MRI, and everything looks really good. The Achilles looks great. Hopeful he practices Monday and plays Tuesday." Haliburton tore his right Achilles in the 2025 NBA Finals and missed all of last season while rehabbing. Last season, he averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in nearly 34 minutes per game. While he carries some risk due to Achilles and ankle injuries, he still offers Top 5 upside and should be drafted as a top point guard this season.
Source: Alex Golden
Source: Alex Golden
Tyrese Haliburton Shakes Off Rust in Preseason Return
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) recorded seven points, six assists, two blocks, and one steal in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 123-112 preseason win over Minnesota. It was his first game since tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton shot 3-for-8 and admitted afterward that he was playing too fast, but six assists against one turnover was an encouraging sign. He played only in the first half as Indiana eases him back into game action. Jarace Walker added 10 assists off the bench, giving the Pacers another useful secondary creator.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
