Pacers Face Injury Crisis as Key Players Sidelined

The Indiana Pacers are dealing with an injury disaster a mere week into the NBA season. Now, both Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin are going to miss significant time with injuries suffered in their last games. Forward Obi Toppin will be sidelined until at least mid-November with a grade 2 right hamstring strain. At the same time, Mathurin is on a “week-to-week” recovery regimen with his right big toe sprain.

The injuries occurred in Sunday’s match-up against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when both players exited following the third quarter. Toppin, who had been averaging 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench, was a critical contributor to the Pacers’ efforts. Of the aforementioned trio, Mathurin has been the one who has consistently stood out this season. He’s averaging an insane 31 points and seven rebounds on 55% shooting. His absence will be keenly felt, especially as the entire team works to ensure the team remains at the forefront of competitiveness.

What makes this whole thing even more fraught is what’s happened to some of their other key players. Their new starting guard Andrew Nembhard went down early in their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a strained left shoulder. On top of that, Tyrese Haliburton, their starting point guard, was lost for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. And backup point guard T.J. McConnell will be out for the first month of play. He is out with a left hamstring strain.

Pacers to form a daunting hurdle themselves. Eight players, including reigning MVP Joel Embiid, are currently listed as out on the injury report for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The team came into the season with playoff aspirations. Sadly, injuries have ravaged the roster, putting their chances of being able to truly compete greatly in the upcoming weeks in serious doubt.

Forward Obi Toppin participated in all of Tuesday’s practice. This small measure of involvement gives me hope that we’ll see him back again! His recovery timeline is still up in the air. Mathurin’s status is up in the air as well, leaving the Pacers with a need for finds yesterday.