The Indiana Pacers announced that Tyreke Evans will miss tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. What exactly is going on?
Here’s what we know about the Tyreke Evans situation: The Indiana Pacers said he would miss Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was reported it was due to personal reasons.
However, things got a little confusing after that.
The team then said Evans was missing the game for a violation of team rules and he put out a statement through the team.
"“I was late for practice,” said Evans. “This is the most professional and team-oriented organization I have been with in my career. They deserve my best every day and I am disappointed in myself for causing a distraction that prevents me from being able to help my team tomorrow. I will do better.”"
Speculation and rumors
Rumors began to swirl, but little has been confirmed. However, it isn’t hard to believe there’s something more than one late arrival practice. Because if it was just one missed practice, that would all but imply no one’s been late for practice before in coach Nate McMillan’s tenure.
McMillan said “Don’t F with the game” before the season, but this seems it a bit extreme for tardiness.
And it seems unlikely that Kevin Pritchard would be addressing the team if it was something so simple.
Tyreke Evans (personal reasons) will not travel to Cleveland. President Kevin Pritchard addressed the team after practice. pic.twitter.com/MC5qsTr0OS
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) October 26, 2018
But that’s informed speculation. We don’t know for sure what’s happening beyond what the Pacers have said.
A fork in the road for Tyreke Evans
Whatever the exact reasoning for Friday’s events, we may know later today. But assuming it was some mistake made by Evans in one way or another, it seems this might be an inflection point.
From here, Evans will either fall in line and this will end up being water under the bridge and forgotten. He is already saying the right things, and it’s hard to see why Indiana wouldn’t want him around if this ends up being a hiccup.
After all, Evans is currently part of one of the NBA’s best benches.
But if this was a big enough problem to have Evans away from the Pacers for at least one game, it’s hard to worry it could become an issue down the road.
Regardless of the effect on the Pacers, hopefully, the situation is resolved shortly and everything is OK for Tyreke Evans.