The Indiana Pacers have been without guard Edmond Sumner for the last 18 games. Sumner officially returns to the lineup after recovering from a hand injury, but what will be his place in the rotation?
The Indiana Pacers improved as a team today with the news that Edmond Sumner will be returning to the lineup after missing the last 18 games due to a hand fracture.
Before suffering the injury in the third game of the season against the Detroit Pistons, Sumner had a promising start to the season even though the sample size was small.
Sumner had the opportunity of being added to the starting lineup and stepped up to the plate.
In the three games, Sumner played well with the increased responsibility within Nate McMillan’s system.
Over that span, Sumner averaged seven points, two assists and shot 50% from the field. Admirable for a point guard that had exceeded expectations to start the season.
Sumner’s injury is one of many the Pacers have had to fight through during this early portion of the season. Every position has been impacted, but the guards have been hit the hardest by the injury bug.
With Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb and T.J. McConnell all having to battle through injuries in addition to Victor Oladipo remaining out, the rotation of the Pacers has gone through several spin cycles.
However, the Pacers have withstood the storm and are currently playing great basketball.
The past 18 games have allowed the Pacers to gain continuity and comfort as a team and that has translated to an impressive turnaround.
But Sumner has been the odd man out and unable to contribute due to his injury.
This leads to the question of how Sumner will fit into the Pacers’ current rotation?
With Brogdon, Lamb, and McConnell all healthy that could put Sumner back into his reserve role. This could also mean that Sumner could be on the backend of the Pacers’ bench.
Unfortunately, his opportunity to find his way back into the starting lineup may not come along, especially with Oladipo getting closer to a return, as long as the team remains healthy.
But that won’t be the only thing that can impact Sumner’s place in the rotation. The Pacers’ deepest position is at point guard.
That has been solidified with the growth of Aaron Holiday and the poise of McConnell.
Both point guards have proven that they deserve minutes and can put the Pacers in positions to succeed.
That leaves Sumner in a tough place.
Sumner has proven that he can compete but his youth and inability to completely mesh with the current roster can greatly impact his outlook for the rest of his season.
It’s a tall task for Nate McMillan and Dan Burke to incorporate all three point guards (Holiday, McConnell and Sumner) into the rotation. This may thrust Sumner into a reserve shooting guard role to relieve Lamb.
At shooting guard is where Sumner will have to potentially make his mark. Despite his comfort as a point guard, Sumner will have to adjust to his potential new role within the offense.
The coaching staff will be patient with incorporating Sumner into the rotation as he gets back in the swing of things.
This can cause Sumner to log limited minutes, but the promise he showed to start the season will force the coaching staff to consider expanding his role down the line.
You can expect for Holiday and McConnell to remain the primary options at point guard. The rotation can end up remaining the same until the coaching staff is given a reason to lean on Sumner.
Sumner’s contribution to the team will depend on how Holiday and McConnell continue to perform. Edmond will have to let the game and the minutes come to him.
But the 24-year-old from Xavier University will be waiting for the opportunity to remind Pacers fans that he is worthy of being on the floor consistently in helping the team win games.