The Indiana Pacers continue to face a daunting series of setbacks this season, as injuries pile up for a team already struggling to find its footing. After losing Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon during last year’s NBA Finals, the team’s misfortune has only intensified, with several key players sidelined by injuries.
Early in the season, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell were both hit hard with injuries, missing seven and ten games respectively; while they have returned, the Pacers are still grappling with the absences of Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Johnny Furphy, Kam Jones, and Quenton Jackson. The latest blow came during a game against the Phoenix Suns, where starter Aaron Nesmith injured his knee and had to leave the game in the third quarter.
During the game, Nesmith accidentally stepped on the foot of teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, resulting in a painful fall where his left knee struck the court. He was visibly in pain and needed assistance to exit the game, although he was able to put some pressure on his knee as he left. The team has reported knee soreness, but the situation appears to be more serious pending imaging results to ascertain the severity of the injury. Nesmith, along with Pascal Siakam, represents the last of the healthy starters from the previous season.
Last season, Nesmith emerged as Indiana’s standout 3-point shooter, hitting 43 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, ranking him 10th in the league. However, this season, his numbers have dipped without Haliburton creating opportunities for him. Additionally, Nesmith has proven to be the Pacers’ top wing defender, making his absence a significant concern as the team struggles to recover from an abysmal start of 1-10.
The Pacers currently hold the worst record in the NBA and rank among the bottom three in scoring, which casts a shadow over their potential for a turnaround this season. Despite the overwhelming challenges, there remains hope that the team can rally together, as they have shown resilience in supporting each other amidst adversity. The upcoming diagnostic results for Nesmith will be crucial in determining how the Pacers navigate the remainder of this challenging season.