The Indiana Pacers must avoid further injury in the preseason

The Indiana Pacers open their preseason against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Just prior to their first preseason matchup of the season, the Indiana Pacers announced that T.J. Warren will be sidelined briefly due to injury. Warren is battling plantar fasciitis and will be week-to-week, though the NBA season officially tips off in less than two weeks.

With Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis expected to be at full health for the first time in a long time, the Pacers seemed on the verge of something special this season. The starting lineup, and core rotation in general, was struck with the injury bug all last season.

With three somewhat meaningful preseason games ahead of them, the top priority for the Pacers must be to stay healthy and avoid any serious setbacks. The starting five can be one of the most complete units across the league but if injuries continue to play a part, the Pacers will be the same team as always.

It is important not to rush Warren back early, as plantar fasciitis can be a lasting concern, which we saw with Sabonis last season. I would not expect Warren to touch the floor at all in the exhibitions and he could even sit out the first few matchups of the regular season.

This is a good opportunity for the young wings to get some playing time and audition for a larger role in the main rotation. Edmond Sumner and Cassius Stanley will likely compete for the wing depth minutes as Jeremy Lamb works his way back from injury.

Warren’s absence offers a huge concern in terms of scoring from all three levels as the Pacers are now without arguably their best offensive weapon. The worst thing to do in this situation is to force him back and create further issues later in the season.

When the Pacers tip-off against the Cavaliers, expect them to play their starters and find their chemistry under a new coaching staff but also keep an eye out for how they manage minutes to open the season.