Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard (oblique) is good to go for Monday's meeting with Golden State. The team has upgraded him from questionable to available. The 22-year-old has averaged over 20 minutes a night across the season, but Sheppard's contributions haven't been good enough for fantasy managers. He has been limited to 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Sheppard likely isn't quite at his best either at the moment after only recently returning from a 14-game absence.
Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (oblique) has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This will mark his eighth consecutive missed game with a strained oblique. If Andrew Nembhard (questionable - knee) can suit up, he'll soak up some of the available minutes. Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell have been getting the added opportunities in the meantime.
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out for Friday's clash against Milwaukee. He will sit out a third consecutive game due to an oblique injury. Before getting hurt, Sheppard saw at least 23 minutes of action in five straight games. Quenton Jackson has picked his minutes, producing a pair of mixed performances. He impressed with a team-high 24 points last time out against Houston but managed just nine points in the previous game versus Toronto.
Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Sheppard suffered a left oblique strain during Monday's game and as a result he'll sit out Wednesday as well. The absence of Sheppard could mean more minutes for Quenton Jackson, Jarace Walker, and Bennedict Mathurin could see more minutes as well. Walker was quiet with six points and four rebounds through 24 minutes of playing time on Monday. He should see a similar role again, but it probably won't be enough minutes to warrant streaming him. Jackson hasn't done much lately, so Mathurin is the best streaming option, but he is likely rostered in most fantasy formats already. If available, fantasy managers should snag Mathurin.
Ben Sheppard Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (oblique) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. The 23-year-old missed Monday's contest due to a left oblique strain, but coach Rick Carlisle expressed optimism that it won't turn into a long-term issue. If Sheppard is unavailable, Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson could see an increase in playing time. Sheppard has been a consistent part of the Pacers' rotation, averaging 21.0 minutes and 5.8 points per game. Fantasy managers will want to check for updates closer to game time to see if Sheppard suits up.
Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors. The young shooter played his way into the end of the team's rotation last season and has now seen five starts in 13 games this year. Unfortunately, he'll miss Monday's game with a strained oblique. With Andrew Nembhard (knee) still sidelined, T.J. McConnell could join the starting five while Quenton Jackson and even Johnny Furphy could see some minutes off of the bench.
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard faces a very tough task in carving out minutes in his rookie campaign, but he has left a good impression of himself during preseason. "Sheppard is playing a mature game for a rookie," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said following Monday's 116-112 win over Atlanta. "He is older. He did play four years (of college basketball at Belmont) and it shows. But he understands what we need of him. He's a great runner. His shooting is on-the-come. He shoots it easy. He's really dialed in on a precision approach to shooting. He's going to be the kind of guy that's a pain in the (expletive) to guard. He's constantly running around. He's a little bit like Buddy. He's doing a lot of good things." Sheppard has logged 23.3 minutes in three preseason outings, scoring 11.7 points and posting 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.