Injury-Hit Indiana Pacers Face Challenges Ahead of Raptors Clash

In a late development, Myles Turner, the Indiana Pacers‘ center, has been declared unavailable for Monday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Turner is sidelined due to a strained right calf, according to the Indianapolis Star. This injury comes after a notable performance against the Miami Heat, where Turner scored 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Initially listed as questionable, Turner’s absence was confirmed by the Pacers’ public relations team. He now joins a growing list of sidelined players, bringing the total to six. All the affected players were integral to the Pacers’ rotation at the start of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season.

Among those out is guard Ben Sheppard, who strained his left oblique during the Heat game and missed the fourth quarter. He was ruled out for the upcoming Raptors game earlier on Monday. Forward Aaron Nesmith has been absent since November 1 due to a sprained left ankle, with a projected return not until December. Guard Andrew Nembhard has been sidelined since November 8 with knee tendinitis, and his return is anticipated in at least a week.

The team is also missing centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, both suffering from Achilles tendon tears that may keep them off the court for the remainder of the season. These injuries leave the Pacers without their primary and backup centers.

Myles Turner, considered a vital contributor and the Pacers’ franchise leader in blocks, has maintained averages of 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, with shooting figures standing at 47.8% from the field and 42.4% from beyond the arc.

In Turner’s absence, forward Obi Toppin is expected to step in as the starting center, while rookie forward Enrique Freeman may cover the second-unit center role. Meanwhile, the Pacers face another decision regarding Ben Sheppard’s replacement. The team may have to choose between T.J. McConnell, a point guard, and Jarace Walker, a forward, for the starting position.

Currently, the Pacers have only eight players on full-time contracts available, including the seldom-used veteran forward James Johnson Jr. To compensate for the depleted roster, contributions from rookie Johnny Furphy are expected, alongside guards Quenton Jackson and Tristen Newton, who are on two-way contracts. Although Newton has yet to appear in a game this season, he is part of the traveling squad to Toronto and is listed as active.