With just a little over one week to go until the end of the regular season, the Indiana Pacers have clinched their second consecutive playoff spot and are in a good position to secure homecourt advantage. However, they are only three games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons in the standings, so it is crucial that they end the season on a high note. They have won three of their last four games and will take on the Utah Jazz on Friday.
The Pacers and Jazz met up once so far this season on February 3. Indiana won the game by one point. While the Pacers are playoff-bound once again, the Jazz are 16-61 and currently own the worst record in the NBA. Still, it is crucial that the Pacers do not play down to the competition and take care of business.
Here is the full injury report for the Pacers and Jazz ahead of their game on April 4.
4/4 Pacers injury report vs. Jazz
- RayJ Dennis (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Enrique Freeman (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Quenton Jackson (G League) - PROBABLE
- Bennedict Mathurin (calf, injury management) - AVAILABLE
- Aaron Nesmith (ankle) - AVAILABLE
- Pascal Siakam (elbow) - AVAILABLE
The Pacers have two new notable additions to their injury report--Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam. However, they are both listed as available, despite their respective ankle and elbow injuries.
Bennedict Mathurin has missed each of the Pacers' last three games due to a calf injury and is once again on the team's injury report. Though he is still on the injury report, the Pacers announced that he will make his return on Friday.
4/4 Jazz injury report vs. Pacers
- Jordan Clarkson (foot) - OUT
- John Collins (ankle) - OUT
- Elijah Harkless (G League) - OUT
- Taylor Hendricks (fibula) - OUT
- Walker Kessler (nasal) - OUT
- Lauri Markkanen (knee) - OUT
- KJ Martin (illness) - OUT
- Micah Potter (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Oscar Tshiebwe (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Cody Williams (illness) - OUT
Jordan Clarkson, Taylor Hendricks, and Cody Williams have all been ruled out for the remainder of the season and will not suit up against the Pacers. Furthermore, John Collins and Lauri Markkanen, while not officially ruled out for the rest of the season, are both dealing with injuries that may force them to sit out the rest of the way. Either way, they are both also out against Indiana.
Jazz big man Walker Kessler is dealing with a nasal injury and is in the concussion protocol. While he could still make his return by the end of the season, he will not play against the Pacers. KJ Martin was a late addition to Utah's injury report and will also miss the game due to an illness.
Elijah Harkless, who has appeared in just one game for the Jazz since the beginning of February, has been ruled out due to a G League assignment. On the flip side, Micah Potter and former Pacer Oscar Tshiebwe are listed as questionable despite being on two-way contracts.