TITLE: Rick Carlisle Secures 1,000th Career Victory; Central Division Injury Updates
SLUG: carlisle-1000th-win-central-division-updates
CONTENT:
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle picked up his 1,000th regular-season win on Thursday as his club halted a franchise-record 13-game skid with a victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The 66-year-old became the 11th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone.
“I’m so happy for our players. The last month has been so challenging in so many ways,” Carlisle said after embracing assistants and players on the court. “This has never been about me getting a milestone win. It’s about our organization and our franchise.”
After finishing one win shy of the 2025 NBA championship last June, Indiana has battled a rash of injuries and sits at 7-31, the league’s worst record. Carlisle, now in his 24th season on an NBA bench, previously won a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Pistons
Cade Cunningham is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Clippers because of a right wrist contusion. The 6’6″ guard, who missed Wednesday’s victory over Chicago, has Detroit atop the Eastern Conference at 28-9 and is considered an MVP candidate.
Teammate Jaden Ivey told reporters Friday that he is fully healthy and no longer under a minutes restriction. The impending restricted free agent missed most of last season with a fractured left fibula and sat out the start of 2025-26 following right knee surgery. He is averaging 16.7 minutes per game in 22 appearances.
Cavaliers
League executives view Darius Garland’s trade value as “muted,” according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. The two-time All-Star point guard has struggled with consistency while continuing to manage the effects of offseason toe surgery.
Bulls
Forward Jalen Smith, sidelined the past two games under concussion protocol, has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s matchup with Dallas. Veteran wing Kevin Huerter (back tightness) received the same designation.
Source: Hoops Rumors
