The Indiana Pacers are kicking off their regular season on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, but they are already rolling without two key rotational players. Talk about starting the season on the back foot, right?
Two Key Pieces Missing: Hamstring Woes Hit Hard
First up, starting small forward Aaron Nesmith is out with a left hamstring strain. This dude missed the final two preseason games, which was a tough look. The good news? He was seen practicing Tuesday in the portion open to the media and even said he was “feeling good” last Thursday. But “feeling good” doesn’t get you on the court for the opener, clearly. That starting spot is going to be something to watch.
Then there’s backup point guard T.J. McConnell, sidelined with a right hamstring strain. Honestly, his absence isn’t exactly a shocker; the 34-year-old didn’t play in any of the team’s four preseason games. The really concerning part here is that the team hasn’t dropped a single timeline for his injury. That’s a huge question mark hanging over the early part of their season.
Early Season Jitters and the Road Ahead
While Jarace Walker also missed those last two preseason games, he’s thankfully not on the injury report for Wednesday’s opener. Good to know it’s not a full-blown injury crisis, but still, missing your starting small forward and a veteran backup point guard for game one? That’s a tough draw.
The Pacers are heading into New Orleans for their regular season opener, facing the Pelicans without two guys who could definitely make a difference. With Nesmith out despite “feeling good” and no timeline at all for McConnell, you gotta wonder how long this is gonna impact their early rhythm. It’s game one, and the stakes are already high just to get that first “W” on the board, especially on the road. Can they pull it off short-handed?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply