While a handful of NBA teams are dealing with multiple-player injuries at this time, the latest Indiana Pacers injury update provided a similar story. Having already lost centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson long-term, two more Pacers will remain sidelined for up to a month, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak.
Pacers Injury Update Keeps Two Key Players Out Multiple Weeks
Important Rotation Pieces Sidelined in Latest Indiana Pacers Injury Update
Pacers small forward Aaron Nesmith and shoot guard Andrew Nemhard are expected to miss multiple weeks each due to injury. Nesmith, who hasn’t played since November 1, is out with a left ankle sprain. His return timetable extends until at least December. In Nemhard’s case, he should return sooner, although he is still a couple of weeks away. Knee soreness kept him out of Indiana’s last two games against the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks.
The Pacers were hit with major injuries earlier in the season with Wiseman and Jackson. Now, Nesmith and Nembhard, both of whom play significant minutes and have large roles on the team, have joined Indiana’s medical list, including Obi Toppin, who sat out Sunday’s game against the Knicks. Like Nesmith, Toppin was also dealing with a left ankle sprain and did not play. An update on his injury has not officially been given yet.
Nembhard is averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 assists in 26 minutes per game on the season. As for Nesmith, he is averaging 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
Why Indiana’s Injuries Won’t Derail Their Season
The league is dealing with several stars who are out due to injuries. However, no team is facing the injury bug like the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the Pacers may have just joined them. With Indiana sitting at 5-5 on the season, losing two key players in Nesmith and Nembhard is not ideal. Having said that, given the state of the Eastern Conference right now, the Pacers can still keep up at the top of the standings.
Would you believe that a 5-5 record is good for third in the East? That’s where the Pacers sit following their win over the Knicks. It also goes to show just how poor the East is. There are zero teams in the East with winning records aside from the Boston Celtics (9-2) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (11-0). Seeds three to six are below .500, sans the Pacers, who are at .500. Given the East’s general poor records and lack of winning basketball, the Pacers may be able to weather the present injury storm they find themselves in and not lose any major ground.
Teams expected to play good basketball are all struggling early in the season. The Knicks, Heat, Magic, Hawks, Bucks, and 76ers are all one to three games below .500. Of course, one could argue that Philly deserves somewhat of a pass, considering Joel Embiid has not played this season, Paul George missed the first five games, and Tyrese Maxeyhas missed time, and will continue to miss time. Still, compared to the West, the current landscape of the East looks decayed and lifeless. The Pacers are in a good spot despite their record. Now, it’s a matter of maintaining that spot while their injuries pass by in the coming weeks.
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