The Indiana Pacers received some difficult news regarding one of their up-and-coming players on Thursday.
According to a release from the team, fifth-year guard Edmond Sumner suffered a torn left Achilles during an offseason workout earlier today.
“[Sumner] will be out indefinitely; and updates will be provided as warranted,” the Pacers announced.
Injury Update: Edmond Sumner is out indefinitely after sustaining a torn left Achilles during an offseason workout on Thursday.
More info » https://t.co/mcyRMXXweV pic.twitter.com/HyqhBg4H3J
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 9, 2021
Sumner, a former second-round draft pick, is coming off the best season of his career in 2020-21. Through 16.2 minutes per game this past season, the 25 year old out of Xavier averaged a career-high 7.5 points on an efficient 52.5% shooting from the field.
The NBA world took to Twitter to react to this unfortunate injury news.
Injury Update: Edmond Sumner is out indefinitely after sustaining a torn left Achilles during an offseason workout on Thursday.
More info » https://t.co/mcyRMXXweV pic.twitter.com/HyqhBg4H3J
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 9, 2021
Myself & Pacers fans trying to keep it together after finding out Edmond Sumner tore his Achillies pic.twitter.com/IVxs8Y9qOI
— Kory Waldron (@Just_KWal) September 9, 2021
This team legitimately hasn’t been healthy since 2017 https://t.co/FhtVlRBs7m
— Jared Harter (@jman6598) September 9, 2021
Man I hate this for Ed, in a contract year too?? Damn https://t.co/pPIPH4cOie
— SmiFF (@Smiff620) September 9, 2021
Damn. Was looking forward to Edmond under Carlisle and having a more defined role. Speedy recovery ! https://t.co/O6qiq6kMcm
— Mitch (@nonamejonez) September 9, 2021
Well this sucks! https://t.co/MtyeSyQBhD
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 9, 2021
Unfortunately for Sumner, this injury couldn’t not have come at a worse time. He’s currently entering the final season of his three-year, $6.48 million contract with the Pacers. And with his recently improved play, the Indiana guard was hoping to make a case for a bigger pay day on a potential new deal.
With the NBA regular season set to tipoff next month, Sumner will likely be sidelined for the entirety of the 2021-22 year.
This isn’t the only major injury news for the Pacers. Just yesterday, the team announced that the stress fracture in T.J. Warren’s foot is not healing at the pace previously anticipated. As a result, the star forward is out indefinitely as well.