The Indiana Pacers are expected to qualify for the NBA’s hardship exception after a wave of injuries left head coach Rick Carlisle with a depleted roster.
The league provision lets clubs temporarily exceed the 15-player limit when at least four players have missed three straight games and are projected to remain sidelined for two additional weeks. Anyone added under the exception typically signs a 10-day contract.
Indiana already has three regulars unavailable: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (hamstring) and Bennedict Mathurin (toe). Several others—Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, Taelon Peter and Johnny Furphy—are dealing with their own injuries, pushing the Pacers toward the hardship threshold.
On Tuesday the front office made a move to shore up the backcourt, waiving center James Wiseman and signing guard Mac McClung. If the NBA approves the hardship request, Indiana would gain an additional short-term roster spot for further reinforcements.
The Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, have opened the new campaign 0-3 while trying to navigate the growing list of absences.
Source: Hoops Wire
