Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle shared a positive update on injured point guard T.J. McConnell on Sunday, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
McConnell, 33, has been sidelined since October 7 after suffering a left hamstring strain during Indiana’s preseason opener.
At the time, Carlisle said the veteran floor general would miss at least a month. Sunday’s remarks marked the first significant progress report since that initial timetable.
“T.J. is getting closer,” Carlisle told reporters. “I know he had a workout today. I hadn’t heard how that went but I heard he’s been ramping up pretty steadily.”
Dopirak also reported that Carlisle discussed rookie guard Kam Jones’ recovery. Jones, the 38th overall pick in this year’s draft, has been out since early October with a lower back stress reaction.
Carlisle noted that the young guard is showing improvement but added that “his return is not imminent,” indicating that the team plans to be cautious with his rehabilitation.
Injuries have been a constant obstacle for Indiana this fall. As Dopirak pointed out, the Pacers were down nine players for Sunday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
The backcourt has been hit especially hard, though there was a bit of relief as Andrew Nembhard made his return after missing seven games – and most of an eighth – due to a left shoulder issue.
The Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, have struggled to find rhythm amid the mounting absences and currently sit at 1–8, hoping that the gradual return of key contributors like McConnell will help stabilize the team in the weeks ahead.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell 'Getting Closer' To Return https://t.co/DrZ4bPbZQK pic.twitter.com/jMoBkA2nnX
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 10, 2025
