The Indiana Pacers got a much-needed win on Wednesday, but the night came with another injury scare that could complicate an already rough start.
In a 114-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, Aaron Nesmith left early with a right knee injury and did not return. Indiana pulled him with 4:57 left in the third quarter, and with Tyrese Haliburton already sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Pacers can’t afford to lose another starter for long.
After the game, Rick Carlisle offered a cautious update. According to Tony East of Forbes, Carlisle said Nesmith felt tightness in the back of his knee, and the team still doesn’t know how serious it is. For now, Indiana is treating him as day-to-day while it waits for more information, with Carlisle hoping it turns out to be a “minor” injury.
Nesmith’s night was short even before the exit. He logged 22 minutes and finished with two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
The injury comes at a frustrating time for the Pacers, who entered the game at 3-8 and still haven’t found their footing to open the 2026-27 season. The injury issues that made life difficult last year haven’t disappeared yet.
Nesmith has already missed two games this season because of a left hamstring injury. Last season was even tougher on that front, as he played in only 45 games during Indiana’s injury-plagued campaign.
That makes this latest scare especially concerning for a player who was so important in the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals in 2025. Nesmith hit big shots throughout the playoffs, and Indiana will need him healthy if it’s going to dig out of this slow start.
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