Just months after the Indiana Pacers’ postseason run was hamstrung by Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring injury, they’ve lost two centers to Achilles injuries. Only about a week ago, it was 2020 No. 2 pick James Wiseman. Today, it’s 2021 No. 22 pick Isaiah Jackson.
Jackson sustained a torn right Achilles while playing against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 1, per ESPN senior insider Shams Charania. The 22-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Indiana Pacers C Isaiah Jackson has sustained a torn right Achilles tendon, league sources tell ESPN. Another Pacers big man lost this season to a non-contact Achilles tear. pic.twitter.com/ZQApu3OmZS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 2, 2024
With Jackson on the final season of his contract, his injury almost couldn’t be any more untimely. The silver lining is that Jackson could be back at full strength prior to the start of the 2025-26. Because Jackson will be a restricted free agent, chances are that he could re-sign with Indiana, albeit at a discounted rate. For example, after tearing his ACL in March, Saddiq Bey managed to ink a three-year contract with the Washington Wizards in July.
Not every player has Bey’s luck. Nonetheless, with Jackson’s age, productivity, skillset, and familiarity with the Pacers, there’s reason to believe he could be just as fortunate.
It’s Time For Pacers Rookie Enrique Freeman To Step Up Amid Isaiah Jackson Injury
Without Wiseman or Jackson available, Indiana could give Enrique Freeman an opportunity to be Myles Turner’s backup before they turn to a free agent.
As the 2024 No. 50 pick, Freeman’s rookie status would make many teams hesitant to promote him to a regular rotation role. However, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has demonstrated a willingness to go to the end of his bench if need be.
Furthermore, Freeman isn’t an ordinary rookie. As a four-year starter for the Akron Zips, the 24-year-old is seasoned in a sense, possessing a level of awareness, physicality, and professionalism that tends to escape one-and-dones. He isn’t trying to be anything other than himself when he steps into the court.
And Freeman’s a winner.
That’s what allowed him to go from a college walk-on to the 2023-24 MAC Player of the Year.
That’s what it’s called when he takes advantage of his activity and broad shoulders, bruising for boards. It’s what it’s called when he patrols the paint, trying to ensure that his opponent gets nothing easy. When he’s on offense, that’s why he’s playing off of his teammates and trying to make plays for others.
Will He Get A Promotion?
Freeman has only played 16 minutes this season. Nonetheless, he was on the court for 119 minutes in the Summer League and 65 minutes during the preseason. In that time, he demonstrated all the aforementioned traits, which are will help him stay on the court.
That being said, at 6-foot-7, Freeman is often going to be undersized. Despite his 7-foot-2 wingspan, there are certain matchups where he might just be overmatched physically. However, Freeman can stretch the floor out to three-point range. As a result, Indiana could try to force this matchups into uncomfortable situations as well.
If all goes well, the biggest problem will be deciding what to do about his contract. As he’s on a two-way deal, he can only play 50 games with the Pacers. Yet, if he becomes a reliable rotation player, they’ll obviously want him to stick around more than that and may have to convert his deal to a standard contract.
