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The Indiana Pacers have to dig deep amid injury concerns

By Luke Parrish

Jan 9, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the ball whil eIndiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) defends in the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the ball whil eIndiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) defends in the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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To say this has been a rough start to the season for the Indiana Pacers is quite an understatement. After losing Jeremy Lamb for the second half of last season and awaiting his return as things stand, the Pacers were hoping to stay healthy enough to compete. And while they have stayed near the top of the Eastern Conference, health has been the biggest limiting factor for Indiana.

T.J. Warren was injured early in the season and has yet to return to the lineup, leaving Indiana with limited options on the wing. Factor in an illness that sidelined Edmond Sumner and a trade that shipped Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets and the Pacers are left searching for short-term answers. Now, things are only getting bleaker for Indiana.

Myles Turner hits the Indiana Pacers injury report

Myles Turner is off to an incredible start to his season, leading the lead in blocked shots and blocks per game. He is a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award and has been a catalyst for the blue and gold in the early going. He was catastrophic in their comeback win in New Orleans and the win over the Warriors.

He missed Indiana’s final game of the west coast road trip with right hand soreness and is listed as day-to-day with a small fracture in that hand. If he misses time, the Pacers could be in major trouble.

The Pacers allowed a season-high 129 points to the Los Angeles Clippers in Turner’s absence, proving once again just how valuable he is to the roster. Indiana could not get stops at the rim and the Clippers pulled away in the second half. With Turner in the lineup, Indiana is allowing just 108.2 points per game.

With Caris LeVert expected to miss a bit of time as he recovers from a medical condition of his own, the Pacers are down several key contributors. Jeremy Lamb should be back soon but no word is out on Warren’s timetable following surgery on his foot.

Hopefully, Myles Turner can return to action in the coming days at full strength. If not, it could be a long stretch for the Pacers.

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