Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith Questionable vs. Raptors After Elbow Injury; Zubac, Brown Still Await Debuts
The Indiana Pacers may be without one of their most consistent contributors when they face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon. Forward Aaron Nesmith is officially listed as questionable with a left elbow sprain after taking a hard fall during Friday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nesmith, who logged 12 points in 27 minutes before exiting, has quietly become a key piece in the Pacers’ rotation. He’s been on a strong run lately, averaging 13.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season, and he's hit double figures in scoring in six straight contests.
Over that stretch, he’s been especially efficient-putting up 16.8 points per game while shooting a blistering 54.5% from the field and 51.5% from beyond the arc. That kind of production, especially from the wing, has been a big boost for Indiana’s offense.
Head coach Rick Carlisle noted after the Bucks game that Nesmith would undergo evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, but didn’t offer a timeline. His status for Sunday remains up in the air, and his absence would certainly be felt on both ends of the floor.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are still waiting on the availability of newly acquired big man Ivica Zubac and forward Kobe Brown. Both players have yet to complete their physicals and won’t be available until at least Tuesday’s game against the Knicks in New York. Carlisle confirmed the delay, emphasizing that the team is following standard procedure before clearing them for game action.
Center Micah Potter is also listed as questionable with a left hip contusion, adding more uncertainty to Indiana’s frontcourt depth heading into the weekend. The Pacers’ two-way players are in flux as well: guard Quenton Jackson is questionable due to his two-way status, while fellow two-way guards Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson are listed as doubtful.
On the Raptors’ side, they’re dealing with their own injury concerns. Guard Immanuel Quickley is questionable with a right ankle sprain, and center Jakob Poeltl is also questionable as he works his way back into game shape.
With both teams managing key injuries, Sunday’s matchup could come down to which supporting cast steps up. For the Pacers, that might mean more minutes and responsibility for players like Bennedict Mathurin or Andrew Nembhard if Nesmith can’t go. And while Zubac and Brown won’t be available just yet, Indiana fans won’t have to wait much longer to see how the new additions fit into Carlisle’s system.
Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET in Toronto.