Pacers’ injury list grows as Toppin, Mathurin join sidelined group
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Indiana’s early-season health concerns deepened Tuesday when head coach Rick Carlisle announced that forward Obi Toppin will miss a minimum of one month with a right hamstring strain and guard Bennedict Mathurin is considered “week-to-week” because of a sprained right big toe.
The new setbacks push the club’s total to eight players listed as out for Wednesday’s home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the season tipped off, the Pacers had already ruled out All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the year with a torn Achilles and slated backup guard T.J. McConnell to miss the first month due to a left hamstring strain.
The injury report expanded during opening-night action, when starting guard Andrew Nembhard left with a strained left shoulder. Carlisle said Nembhard participated in part of Tuesday’s practice but did not provide a timetable for his return.
Mathurin, who is averaging 31 points and seven rebounds on 55% shooting, and Toppin, averaging 14 points and seven boards off the bench, both exited Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Reserves Taelon Peter (groin), Johnny Furphy (foot) and Kam Jones (lower back) are also expected to sit out Wednesday.
To bolster depth on the perimeter, Indiana signed three-time dunk contest champion guard Mac McClung on Monday and waived center James Wiseman.
The Pacers are 0-3 for the third time in 11 seasons; they reached the playoffs after the previous two slow starts, in 2015-16 and 2019-20.
Source: ESPN
