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
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
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
Ivica Zubac Available for Wednesday
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing five straight contests. Zubac sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of the Oct. 25 win over Brooklyn and has been sidelined since. He opened the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds against New Orleans and should give Indiana a much-needed boost on the glass. Jay Huff has been starting in his absence and will likely head back to the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. could also see his minutes trimmed with Zubac back in the mix.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ivica Zubac Tagged as Questionable Against Memphis
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing five straight contests. The 29-year-old sprained his ankle against Brooklyn on Oct. 25 and is averaging 9.0 points and 9.0 rebounds through three appearances, including a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double on Opening Night. Jay Huff has started in his absence and is coming off 22 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 40 minutes against Atlanta. That workload came with Indiana down to six available players, so Huff's minutes could come down if Zubac is cleared to return.
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
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
Aaron Nesmith Listed as Probable for Sunday
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) is probable for Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Nesmith has played through the hamstring issue in five straight games, logging between 19 and 27 minutes during that stretch. He finished Friday's loss to Miami with nine points, three rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes while shooting 2-for-4 from the field. Indiana is still without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Ivica Zubac (ankle), so Nesmith should continue to have a steady place in the rotation. His fantasy value will mostly come from three-point shooting, but the minutes should be there while the Pacers remain short-handed.
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 Will Play Friday in Miami
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) is available for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Miami Heat. Nesmith has played through the hamstring issue over the past four games and reached a season-high 27 minutes Wednesday against Philadelphia. The 27-year-old is averaging 13.3 points and 2.3 threes in 21.8 minutes while shooting 38.6 percent from the field. Indiana is missing several rotation pieces, including Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Obi Toppin (back), so Nesmith should continue getting plenty of chances to score from the perimeter.
Source: Scott Agness
Source: Scott Agness
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
Aaron Nesmith Likely to Suit Up Friday
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) is probable for Friday's game against the Miami Heat. Nesmith has played four straight games since missing the season opener and saw his workload climb to a season-high 27 minutes Wednesday against Philadelphia. He finished with 18 points, three triples and two steals despite shooting 5-for-16 from the field. Nesmith had hovered around 20 minutes in his previous three outings, so the increase is a good sign for his role. With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined, Nesmith should continue getting chances to score, while Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker would be in line for more work if his hamstring causes any trouble.
Source: Indiana Pacers
Source: Indiana Pacers
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
