The Indiana Pacers are already down two rotation players in centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman. Now, they must prepare for what could be a lengthy absence to a starter.
Pacers Fear Starter Aaron Nesmith Has Sustained Serious Injury
According to Fieldhouse File’s Scott Agnes, Aaron Nesmith’s ankle injury is “not a day-to-day (injury)… It was not a simple sprain.”
Agnes adds that Nesmith “was scheduled to undergo testing over the weekend.” That being said, the fact that the Pacers have yet to update his status could be cause for concern.
My understanding is that it’s not a day-to-day thing with Nesmith. It was not a simple sprain. He was scheduled to undergo testing over the weekend.
Already, the team is without centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman — likely for the season. https://t.co/aZGGv6ZLGW
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) November 3, 2024
Nesmith sustained the injury on Friday, Nov. 1, in their loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a non-contact injury, but the discomfort and pain he felt was palpable. It’s been suggested that Nesmith is the latest Pacers player to tear his Achilles, though it’s only speculation.
Aaron Nesmith exited the game early in the 2Q with an injury to the outside of his left ankle.
In a lot of pain. He did not return. pic.twitter.com/sw01SlYT4K
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) November 2, 2024
If it really is an Achilles injury for Nesmith though?
Ben Sheppard’s Time Is Now
The obvious issue is that Nesmith could miss all or most of the season as he recovers. This might hurt the Pacers more than Jackson and Wiseman’s absences combined. Those bigs provided depth behind franchise center Myles Turner and could help them on the interior, both in terms of rim-protection and rebounding.
However, Nesmith is arguably the team’s top defender, often guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player. He’s also developed his outside jumper, shooting 39.6 percent from three over the past three seasons. In 2024-25, he’s been nailing a career-high 54.5 percent of his shots beyond the arc. Essentially, he’s one of the marquee 3-and-D wings in the NBA.
Any franchise would notice a void with Nesmith sidelined. On a team that’s lacking those types of players, like Indiana, his presence will definitely be missed. Now, the Pacers will lean on Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard.
Both Mathurin (40.0 percent) and Sheppard (50.0 percent) are shooting the three-ball at a high rate this season. On the defensive end, Mathurin needs to maintain his focus and Sheppard’s not physically imposing. However, both have can play solid defense, particularly Sheppard.
Nailing late 1st round/early 2nd round picks does wonders for an NBA team.
The Pacers took Ben Sheppard w/ the 26th pick in last year’s draft and now he’s playing elite defense in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/3Sr6lmRTZJ
— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) May 19, 2024
Looking ahead, Sheppard may even start for the foreseeable future.
This Or That?
Mathurin started against the Pelicans and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle actually promoted him to the starting lineup in the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics, over Andrew Nembhard. This may have been due to injury though, as Nembhard didn’t play against New Orleans because of a knee sprain. Furthermore, Nembhard is a high-level defender, and a team can’t have too many of those.
However, Nembhard’s ice cold right now, shooting a paltry 11.1 percent from three. As a result, his jumper could compromise the offense more than Mathurin’s self-confidence. All things considered equal, if Mathurin is keeping the ball moving and playing alert defense, there’s little reason he shouldn’t maintain his current role. Still, knowing Carlisle, Mathurin’s going to have to prove himself night-in and night-out.
