Indiana Pacers News

EASTERN CENTRAL

Andrew Nembhard • PG • Pacers

Andrew Nembhard Won't Play on Thursday

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) is officially ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Nembhard was a late addition to the injury report due to lower back soreness. The Pacers will take the cautious approach and hold out Nembhard for Thursday's contest. His absence on the court should free up playing time for T.J. McConnell and Ben Sheppard. Both players should see an uptick in value due to the increased playing time. McConnell is the better streaming choice for Thursday's game due to the fact that he has been the more consistent option this season.

1 hour ago

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin Ruled Out Sunday with Thumb Sprain

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will not play Sunday against Orlando due to a right thumb sprain, leaving Indiana short-handed on the wing. With Mathurin sidelined, Aaron Nesmith profiles as the most reliable fantasy beneficiary after drawing a start last game and logging 29 minutes. Over his last four since returning from injury, Nesmith has averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers, and 1.3 blocks in 25.9 minutes, offering low-end standard-league value. Johnny Furphy and Ben Sheppard should see extra run, but their fantasy appeal remains limited to deeper formats.

4 days ago

Jay Huff • C • Pacers

Jay Huff Available Versus Rockets

Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (ankle) is available for Monday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. Huff was tagged as questionable on Sunday for tonight's tilt due to a left ankle sprain. The 28-year-old has appeared in all 32 Pacers games this season and will play once again this evening. Despite posting 11 points, one rebound, two assists, one steal and three blocks on Saturday against Miami, he will likely make a minimal impact in fantasy going up against a solid Rockets defense.

Dec 29

T.J. McConnell • PG • Pacers

T.J. McConnell Available on Monday

Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is set to suit up against the Houston Rockets. McConnell will return to the floor on Monday after missing Saturday's matchup against Miami due to hamstring soreness. The 33-year-old veteran backup point guard is averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 16.8 minutes per contest across 20 games this season. He's finished with 16 points in two of his last three outings, going into this evening.

Dec 29

Aaron Nesmith • PF • Pacers

Aaron Nesmith Back on Saturday Night

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will play on Saturday against Miami. The 2020 No. 14 overall pick averaged a career-high 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds before a sprained left MCL put him on the Injury Report for over a month. He'll presumably be eased back into action, so his fantasy ceiling could be capped for at least a few contests, making him a risky option until he starts seeing around the 30 minutes he logged per contest prior to the injury.

Dec 28

T.J. McConnell • PG • Pacers

T.J. McConnell Unavailable Versus Celtics

Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (knee) will miss Monday's contest against the Boston Celtics. The team has downgraded McConnell's status from questionable to out. The veteran guard is considered day-to-day with a sore left knee. Starting point guard Andrew Nembhard will probably play a bit more with McConnell on the shelf, while Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson, and Garrison Mathews could also get some extra minutes in the rotation. Boston allows the third-fewest fantasy points to point guards, making this a tough matchup for Indiana's playmakers.

Dec 22

T.J. McConnell • PG • Pacers

T.J. McConnell Considered Questionable Monday

Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (knee) has been labeled as questionable for a clash against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The veteran playmaker has a sore left knee, which may force McConnell out of the lineup for the first time since he made his season debut on Nov. 11. McConnell has maintained a backup role in Indiana this season, averaging 9.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 16.7 minutes. If McConnell can't suit up on Monday, players like Quenton Jackson, Garrison Matthews, and Ethan Thompson will likely absorb his minutes. However, none of the three is an appealing fantasy option.

Dec 22

Tony Bradley • C • Pacers

Tony Bradley Available Versus Pelicans

Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (thumb) will be active on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 27-year-old big man is dealing with a fractured thumb and was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup. Bradley is not expected to have a significant role against New Orleans, as Indiana tends to rely on Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson at center. The two have a very favorable matchup on Saturday, as the Pelicans have one of the league's weakest defenses against centers and give up the seventh-most rebounds to the position.

Dec 20

Ben Sheppard • SF • Pacers

Ben Sheppard Out At Least 10 Days With Calf Strain

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss at least 10 more days after already sitting out the past two contests. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes across 22 games, so his absence has minimal impact outside deeper formats. The main fantasy ripple is added opportunity for rookie Ethan Thompson, who logged six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in the last game and profiles as a deeper-league streamer, while T.J. McConnell and Garrison Mathews gain modest bumps.

Dec 9

Andrew Nembhard • PG • Pacers

Andrew Nembhard Won't Play Versus Washington

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (quadriceps) won't play on Friday versus the Washington Wizards. He has a quad contusion, so fantasy managers will need to wait and see if he'll be back on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls. Without him, T.J. McConnell, who had 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in Wednesday's two-point loss to the Toronto Raptors, could be in line to start. However, even if McConnell isn't with the first-five, he is certainly worth considering for all fantasy lineups.

Nov 28

Andrew Nembhard • PG • Pacers

Andrew Nembhard Questionable Entering Friday's Contest

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (quadriceps) is questionable for Friday's game with Washington, positioning veteran T.J. McConnell for added minutes if he sits. McConnell has ramped up effectively, delivering 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in his most recent outing and adding another 16-point, five-assist line earlier in the week. His strong per-minute production makes him a viable hold in most formats if he continues seeing mid-20s minutes, with even more upside if Nembhard misses time.

Nov 28

Garrison Mathews • SG • Pacers

Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers

Free-agent guard/forward Garrison Mathews is signing a 10-day hardship contract with the Pacers, who have been decimated by injuries in the early part of the season. Mathews has played six seasons in the NBA, spending time with the Wizards, Rockets, and Hawks. Last year, he played 47 games for Atlanta and averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers in 17.7 minutes per game. He will give the Pacers some experience and scoring on the wing and should play minutes right away. The veteran sharpshooter may be a DFS or streaming option if you need three-point production when the 2-13 Pacers take on the Cavaliers on Friday and Mathews makes his debut.

Nov 20

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin Returns to Pacers Lineup

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (toe) will return from an 11-game absence on Monday against the Detroit Pistons. Mathurin played in the first two games of the season before being sidelined by a toe sprain. He was on fire to start the year, posting 31.0 points per game with 50 percent shooting from three-point range. On Monday, Mathurin should also be heavily involved in the offense, although he might be under a minutes restriction after his multi-week absence. Mathurin's return will likely impact the playing time of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jarace Walker, and Ben Sheppard.

Nov 17

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin Considered Questionable Monday

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (toe) has a chance to return on Monday against the Detroit Pistons after being listed as questionable on the official injury report. The 23-year-old hasn't played since the second game of the season when he first suffered a sprain in his right great toe. With the injuries piling up for the Pacers, Mathurin should be slotted back into the starting five when he returns. In their last game, they started Andrew Nembhard with a bunch of bigs while Ben Sheppard and T.J. McConnell came off the bench. Tony Bradley would likely be the one to move to the bench if Mathurin is back, which would put him off of the fantasy radar.

Nov 17

Aaron Nesmith • PF • Pacers

Aaron Nesmith Ruled Out for at Least Four Weeks

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will be out of action for at least four weeks, head coach Rick Carlisle announced on Saturday. Nesmith sprained his left knee on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. His exit from the lineup gave Jarace Walker a new starting opportunity on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. During a recent seven-game stint in the first unit, Walker averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 31.0 minutes per game. If he sticks in the starting lineup, the 22-year-old is set to have additional fantasy value until at least mid-December.

Nov 16

Aaron Nesmith • PF • Pacers

Aaron Nesmith to Miss Time with Knee Soreness

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will miss time, though Rick Carlisle said they are hopeful it is not too serious. Nesmith has been a quiet fantasy win, averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 30.5 minutes while shooting 36.7% from the field and 37.3% from deep. His recent stretch included a 25-point outing with three threes and four steals at Denver. With him sidelined, opportunities may rise for Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard, though both have been inconsistent so far. Expect Andrew Nembhard's touches to increase slightly, while Pascal Siakam remains the primary scoring hub.

Nov 14

T.J. McConnell • PG • Pacers

T.J. McConnell Questionable Tuesday vs. Jazz

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable for Tuesday at Utah and has yet to suit up this season. With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Bennedict Mathurin (toe), and Obi Toppin (foot) sidelined, any McConnell minutes would be a welcome stabilizer behind Andrew Nembhard, who just returned to lead ball-handling duties. If McConnell is cleared, he profiles as a plug-and-play streamer for assists, steals, and field-goal percentage in 12-team leagues on a light slate and a must-add in deeper formats. Last season, he quietly posted 9.1 points, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 51.9 percent shooting in under 18 minutes per game. Expect his on-ball pressure defense, drive-and-kick playmaking, and pace to lift Indiana's second unit while keeping usage low for mistakes. If he sits, Nembhard remains a volume play, while Monte Morris would be the next man up for short-term dimes.

Nov 11

T.J. McConnell • PG • Pacers

T.J. McConnell Ramping Up, Nearing Season Debut

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) remains sidelined but continues to ramp up toward his season debut, according to coach Rick Carlisle. The veteran has been out since straining his hamstring in early October, and recent workouts indicate he's getting close to returning. His presence would be a welcome boost for an injury-hit Pacers squad still missing Bennedict Mathurin (foot), Obi Toppin (foot), Johnny Furphy (ankle), and Quenton Jackson (hamstring). McConnell's steady playmaking and defensive activity should immediately help stabilize Indiana's second unit. Last season, he averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in under 18 minutes per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. Fantasy managers in deeper 9-cat formats should consider stashing him now, as his efficiency and steals upside can quietly provide category-winning value once he's back.

Nov 10

Quenton Jackson • SG • Pacers

Quenton Jackson Ruled Out Versus Denver with a Right Hamstring Strain

Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The 27-year-old had been one of the few bright spots in Indiana's injury-riddled backcourt, but this setback is another big blow for a team already missing multiple key guards. Jackson averaged 11.8 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 54.1% from the field and 50% from three, showing flashes of real offensive upside and poise as a temporary floor general. His absence leaves Ben Sheppard and RayJ Dennis to handle the bulk of playmaking duties, though both have struggled with consistency. The silver lining is that Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) appears close to returning, which should help stabilize the rotation. For fantasy managers, Jackson can be dropped in most formats for now but remains a name to watch once he's healthy again.

Nov 8

Andrew Nembhard • PG • Pacers

Andrew Nembhard Questionable vs. Nuggets

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder strain) is listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The 26-year-old has played only one game this season but looks close to returning, which is big for a Pacers team missing Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) T.J. McConnell (hamstring), and Bennedict Mathurin (toe). Last season, Nembhard averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.9 minutes per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. His poise and versatility make him more than just a temporary filler. With Indiana currently rotating Ben Sheppard, RayJ Dennis, and Quenton Jackson (hamstring) at point guard, Nembhard should immediately take over primary ball-handling duties once cleared. McConnell's eventual return might shake things up a bit, but for now, Nembhard deserves to be added in all formats for his strong assist and steal upside.

Nov 8

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