Indiana Pacers stunned the Los Angeles Lakers going home with a surprising win in the bag thanks to Domantas Sabonis’ great performance. The Pacers’ big, who is the subject of several trade rumors in the last few weeks, suffered an ankle injury during the game.
Head coach Rick Carlisle revealed that the injury could be significant for the Pacers’ big man, who recorded 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against Los Angeles on Wednesday. Depending on the severity of the injury, Sabonis could be out for a good amount of time as he suffered a left ankle sprain.
Indiana’s center has already garnered interest as the Pacers seem ready to go on a full-time rebuild. The Sacramento Kings are rumored to be interested, while the Pacers are also ready to move Caris LeVert and Myles Turner, who is also out with a foot injury.
Even if Sabonis remain with the team, he will probably have to play with a very different roster in place as we’re heading towards the NBA trade deadline on Feb.10. Sabonis averages 19.0 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through 44 games this year.
“He was not gonna come out of this game,” Carlisle said. “He was determined to help will us to the win along with Caris (LeVert) and the guys who were out there.
“The 3-point shot that Sabonis hit on the bad ankle was one of the big shots of the year and just a guy that was completely determined to pull us through this thing,” Carlisle said in the post-game presser.
The Pacers are facing the Warriors at Chase Center Thursday night. Sabonis is not officially out yet, however, the chance of seeing him on the court seems to be at least slim.
