The Indiana Pacers are facing a growing list of injury concerns that continue to impact their lineup and depth. Ben Sheppard, a promising second-year player, is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, with head coach Rick Carlisle confirming that the injury is more serious than initially thought.
Sheppard is dealing with a strained left oblique muscle, which he sustained during a game on November 17. While the exact timeline for his return is still unclear, Carlisle emphasized that it would be “weeks, not days” before Sheppard is back on the court.
Sheppard had been taking on a significantly larger role with the Pacers over the past few weeks, especially with the ongoing absences of key players. Indiana is still dealing with long-term injuries to Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard, two important contributors who have been unavailable for some time.
Before Sunday’s win over the Washington Wizards, Carlisle had no update on their respective recoveries, leaving a cloud of uncertainty around their return.
In addition to these injuries, the Pacers have suffered two major blows to their frontcourt. Both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman are out for the season due to torn Achilles’ tendons, which has left a significant void in Indiana’s depth at center.
These injuries have forced the Pacers to rely on their remaining roster to step up, but the road ahead looks challenging as the team tries to stay competitive while dealing with a growing injury list.
Ben Sheppard To Miss Multiple Weeks With Oblique Strain https://t.co/3bK6MjJ37N
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 25, 2024
