The Pacers open the season Wednesday night in New Orleans, but they’ll be doing it without two important pieces of the rotation.
According to the team’s social media account on X, starting small forward Aaron Nesmith has been ruled out against the Pelicans because of a left hamstring strain. Nesmith missed Indiana’s final two preseason games with the injury, though the exact severity wasn’t clear at the time. Now that it has kept him out of the first regular-season game, the concern around it is a little louder.
The other absence is T.J. McConnell, who remains out with a right hamstring strain. He sat out the entire preseason, so this one has already stretched deeper into the calendar and will need to be watched closely.
Nesmith’s absence does at least open the door for Kelly Oubre Jr. to keep handling starter’s minutes on the wing after fitting smoothly into the group during the preseason. Indiana got three preseason games with him alongside the starters, and that mattered.
In 16.5 minutes per game, Oubre posted 8.5 points while shooting 52.2% from the field (12-23) and 46.2% from three (6-13). Even while he’s still learning the Pacers’ scheme and terminology, that early run with the first unit gave him a useful head start.
With Nesmith out, Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard are in line for larger jobs off the bench at the backup two and three spots. Walker also missed the final two preseason games with an undisclosed injury, though his name was not included on the injury report.
McConnell’s absence leaves Indiana with a decision to make in the backcourt. The Pacers can trim the rotation and use Andrew Nembhard as the backup point guard, or they can go deeper and bring Quenton Jackson into the second unit. There’s also a path where Braden Smith dresses in case the Pacers need extra help at the position.
Depth is one of the biggest strengths on this roster, but starting the year with two rotation players already sidelined is hardly the ideal beginning for a team coming off a 19-63 season and trying to turn the page.
In Other News...
Purdue's New Rotation Is Already Giving Boilers Fans Something To Debate
Purdues preseason tune-up against Purdue Fort Wayne offered a first look at how the Boilermakers might spread the floor and sort out their backcourt and wing minutes, and there was plenty to like in a 93-62 win at Memorial Coliseum. The offense hummed along at 58.1% shooting overall, including 13-for-33 from three-point range, while a handful of younger pieces made their case for more steady run in the rotation.
CJ Cox, Antione West, Jack Benter and Omer Mayer each gave Purdue something different to think about. Cox scored 13 points, West finished with 16, Benter cleaned up the glass with 10 rebounds and Mayer added 15 points and four assists, giving the staff some early evidence that the next wave can already fit into the mix. For a team trying to settle on its preferred combinations, nights like this can be encouraging and a little tricky at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue's First Road Test Exposed One Concern Fans Can't Ignore
Purdues first road test of the season offered an early reminder that travel can make even a talented roster look ordinary for stretches. Fort Waynes defensive pressure clearly bothered the Boilermakers at the outset, forcing them into some uncomfortable possessions before they settled in and started to play with more rhythm after halftime.
The good news for Purdue was that the bench helped steady things, with Antoine West giving the offense a needed lift and Jack Benter doing his part on the glass. The bigger question is whether the opening half was just a road-game hiccup or a sign that this group still has some work to do when opponents turn up the heat and take away easy looks near the rim. [Read more 🡒]