Pacers Down to Two Healthy Guards After Wave of Injuries
pacers-down-to-two-healthy-guards-after-injury-wave
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Indiana Pacers finished Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies with only two healthy guards after rookies Bennedict Mathurin (sore right foot) and Taelon Peter (sore right groin) left the floor because of injuries, the team said.
Indiana already entered the contest without six sidelined backcourt players: Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain), Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction), Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), Johnny Furphy (left foot soreness) and Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder strain). With Mathurin and Peter joining that list, only Ben Sheppard and two-way guard RayJ Dennis were available to finish the 131-96 loss. Sheppard also chipped a tooth during the game, according to video posted by Circle City Spin.
The Pacers are expected to become eligible for at least one hardship exception once the league reviews the extent of the injuries.
Mathurin slated for further evaluation
Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Mathurin’s pain is in the forefoot area. The club hopes to arrange imaging in Minneapolis on Sunday, where the Pacers continue their road trip. Mathurin, a restricted free agent after this season, was seen walking gingerly in the locker room but did not require a boot or crutches.
Nembhard injury details emerge
Nembhard exited Thursday’s double-overtime opener against Oklahoma City after appearing to tangle with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the first half. The second-year guard immediately grabbed his left arm and did not return. The team has not provided a timetable for his recovery.
Carlisle frustrated with officiating
The Thunder game also featured two disputed timeout rulings that went against Indiana, prompting a technical foul on Carlisle. “I’m not talking about the refs,” the coach said afterward. “If I talk about the refs, I’m going to get fined an exorbitant amount of money.”
Indiana, the defending Eastern Conference champion, is 0-2 to start the season and continues its trip Sunday in Minneapolis.
Source: Hoops Rumors
