Tyrese Haliburton was just lost for the season to a torn right Achilles tendon, inflicted in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. This injury poses significant hurdles for the Indiana Pacers as they prepare for the 2025-26 campaign. The prognosis on Haliburton’s injury could keep him out for the entirety of the upcoming season. This predicament will require the squad to make a deep roster overhaul. As such, fantasy basketball managers are forced to go back to the drawing board while figuring out what losing Haliburton means.
The Pacers will have a very difficult adjustment period ahead without Haliburton. Without their primary playmaker, a few players will need to take on bigger roles. This turn of events is even more crucial for Aaron Nesmith. He’s shown plenty of promise as a secondary scorer and three-point shooter over the last three years. Nesmith had a breakout 2023-24 season, averaging 12.2 points per game. His scoring did take a little hit at 12.0 PPG in 2024-25, though that stat will likely increase as he takes charge with Haliburton injured.
Impact on Key Players
Myles Turner, a pivotal player for the Pacers, faces uncertainty as he approaches free agency. If Turner re-signs, he’ll continue serving as one of the league’s most important rim protectors and a lethal stretch five. His skills will no longer be limited to the Pacers’ defensive scheme. Turner has enjoyed an impressive ten-year NBA career. With 5.0 assists per game and 1.2 steals per game, he’s been reliable on both sides of the ball.
Alongside Nesmith and Turner, Andrew Nembhard is a player that could see a big increase in production. In the eight games he played without Haliburton during the last season, Nembhard averaged 11.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Third, his playing time increased rapidly to 28.9 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season. This recent uptick is evidence of how much Smith has to offer in helping fill the void created by Haliburton’s injury.
Shifting Strategies and Fantasy Draft Implications
Given the Pacers’ dramatic roster shakeup coming in the offseason, expect wildly fluctuating scoring production from a lot of players. Pascal Siakam has become the emotional core of this team, both on and off the court. He won’t just be more of a playmaker than he’s ever been, either. This season, Siakam posted his fewest assists per game since his 2018-19 season with the Raptors. He has to do more this coming season to reverse that pattern.
Furthermore, Ben Mathurin is someone to watch just as closely. Through the first 11 games of the 2024-25 season, Mathurin is averaging a career-high 29.8 minutes per game. With Haliburton out, he seems primed to take advantage of the increased playing time and scoring opportunities. His well-rounded production is going to be key for the Pacers and fantasy players seeking out playing to their teams from their boards.
As we inch closer to the 2023-24 season, expect Tyrese Haliburton’s average draft position to skyrocket. His importance as the lead floor general on a balanced Indiana offense will raise his value even further once he’s back. On the other hand, Pascal Siakam could be one of the more popular targets among managers wanting to land a top-50 guy in their drafts.
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