The Indiana Pacers have a 3-1 series lead over the New York Knicks in the conference finals, and they will have an opportunity to send them home on Thursday night. Both teams will head back to New York for Game 5. As the Pacers look to end the series and officially punch their ticket back to the NBA Finals, the Knicks are aiming to keep their season alive.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals and will return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. Barring a collapse, it's beginning to look like the Pacers will be the team that meets them there. However, the series is not over yet, and the Pacers must keep their foot on the pedal.
Ahead of what could be a series-clinching Game 5, both Indiana and New York have a notable name on their respective injury reports whose statuses will be worth monitoring until tip-off. Here is the full injury report for both teams for Thursday night's Game 5 showdown.
Pacers vs. Knicks Game 5 injury report
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Aaron Nesmith (ankle) - AVAILABLE
Aaron Nesmith remains on the Pacers' injury report due to an ankle injury he suffered in Game 3. He was initially listed as questionable, but he is available to play, according to head coach Rick Carlisle.
Though he was also listed as questionable going into Game 4, the Vanderbilt alum suited up regardless and was in the starting lineup. In the win, Nesmith recorded 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 32 minutes.
Nesmith has been fantastic all postseason long, and that has not changed in the conference finals. He is continuing to prove how valuable he is to the team. When healthy, he changed the dynamic on both sides of the ball, and if the Pacers do make it back to the NBA Finals, they will rely on him heavily if they want to win it all.
Knicks vs. Pacers Game 5 injury report
- Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) - AVAILABLE
In the fourth quarter of New York's loss to Indiana in Game 4, Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a knee contusion after a collision with Nesmith. He was listed as questionable for the Knicks, but he is available to play.
Towns has played phenomenal basketball in the conference finals so far. In four games against Indiana, the 29-year-old is averaging 25.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc. He is crucial to the Knicks' offense, and he has stepped up for the team numerous times throughout the postseason.