The Indiana Pacers got their star running mate to go alongside Tyrese Haliburton yesterday when they traded for Pascal Siakam. But when will the two-time all-star debut for the Pacers, and will he re-sign when he becomes an unrestricted free agent?
Indiana Pacers Rumors:
Indiana (24-17) began a three-game west coast tour in Sacramento (23-18) with a 126-121 victory on Thursday night despite being severely shorthanded. Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points to lead seven players in double -,” ,” figures as the Pacers snapped a two-game losing streak. Mathurin was 11 of 21 from the field, including 2 of 6 from the 3-point line. It was Mathurin’s 20th game of at least 15 points this season.
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The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Aaron Nembhard, and Siakam.
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Earlier yesterday, Indiana’s head coach announced that Haliburton (hamstring) despite initially being listed as questionable.
https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/status/1748065555339477310
At the same time of declaring Haliburton out, Carlisle added that Siakam would join the team on the road trip but was unsure when he would make his debut, per ESPN’s Marc J. Spears.
By Carlisle’s comments, it seems unlikely that Siakam will play in Portland tonight, as there is no word he will be with the team. So, Siakam’s next realistic chance to play — if he does indeed play on the trip, not just show up on the trip — will be on Sunday against Phoenix.
Nesmith (shins) missed his third straight game, while Nembhard sat out due to a back injury. Like Haliburton, Nesmith and Nembhard were initially listed as questionable for the contest. The status of the three is still being determined for tonight.
To make matters worse for the Pacers, Isaiah Jackson left last night’s game with a head injury. Jackson suffered the injury in the opening quarter. Before exiting, the 22-year-old forward threw down a wicked one-handed dunk, grabbed one rebound, and doled out an assist.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1748186195106943190
Indiana has yet to announce any details of Jackson’s head injury.
Other Pacers Tidbits
Jalen Smith posted his second double-double of the season with a season-high 17 points and 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. He was 6 of 7 from the field, 1 of 2 from the 3-point line, and 4 of 4 from the free throw line.
T.J. McConnell tied his season-high with 20 points and added 10 dimes for his third double-double. It was McConnell’s second start of the campaign.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1748236487349440890
Rookie Jarace Walker tallied a career-high 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the field and 3 of 8 from the 3-point line, marking his first double-double of the season. Walker averages 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 block in 23 minutes over the last two contests.
Ben Shephard also has stepped up his production over the last two games, as he has seen more than 20 minutes in both contests. Shephard finished last night with seven points, four caroms, two assists, and two steals. He averages 5.5 points, 3.5 boards, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in these two games.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1748233966799171991
Myles Turner contributed 18 points, marking the 17th straight game of double-digit contests and 38th on the season. Turner also recorded a block to become the second player in franchise history to reach 1,200 blocks.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1748208176283926999
