New Isaiah Jackson update could be cause for concern for Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a deep team overall and have many exciting players to follow during the 2024-25 season. Most notably, Pacers fans are excited to see what Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Jarace Walker can do next season. However, one player that often gets overlooked is backup center Isaiah Jackson.

This summer, the Pacers moved on from Jalen Smith, who joined the Chicago Bulls. In his place, the Pacers will rely more heavily on Jackson, as well as newcomer James Wiseman. The 2024-25 season will be Jackson's fourth with the team, and he now has a great opportunity to solidify himself as the team's primary backup center behind Myles Turner.

However, to begin training camp Jackson has already sustained an undisclosed injury that kept him sidelined during Friday's practice.

On its own, this is not too concerning, especially given that he was limited rather than a complete non-participant. However, Jackson is not the only Pacers big man already dealing with an injury, causing some concern as the team prepares for its preseason opener.

Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman are already dealing with injuries

In addition to Jackson, Wiseman is dealing with a groin issue that will keep him limited throughout training camp. Training camp began just a few days ago, and it is too soon to fully hit the panic button. However, that does not make the situation any less notable.

The Pacers are slim at the center position. Outside of Turner, who enters this season on the final year of his contract, Jackson and Wiseman are the only two big men the team can rely on at center. While it is unknown how much time either center will miss, it is not a promising start that the Pacers are already dealing with injuries in a thin position as it is.

Luckily for the team, they have plenty of talent to make up for it. Turner has been a steady player for the Pacers and is potentially in line for the best year of his career. Additionally, Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin can both play center if needed, though it is not an ideal spot for the Pacers to be in.

How much Jackson's and Wiseman's injuries will impact the Pacers negatively, if in any way, is something worth monitoring as the team prepares for its season opener on the road against the Detroit Pistons on October 23.