The Pacers saw their latest veteran point guard addition leave their first preseason game with an injury and have already signed a new one. With veteran guard T.J. McConnell also out with a hamstring strain, their new point guard immediately moves to second on the depth chart behind starter Andrew Nembhard.

Delon Wright, signed just before the start of preseason camp, suffered a head injury in a collision with Minnesota’s Jaylin Clark in the first half of the Pacers’ overtime win over the Timberwolves in their first preseason game on Tuesday night. On Thursday morning, the Pacers announced on their social media accounts that they waived Wright and have signed veteran point guard Cameron Payne, who was Wright’s teammate with the Knicks last season. Payne flew from New York to Indiana last night and was at the Pacers’ practice on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Payne averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 assists with the Knicks last season and is averaging 7.8 points and 3.2 assists over his 10-year career. The 6-3, 183-pound left-hander was a first-round pick out of Murray State in 2015 and has played for the Thunder, Bulls, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks, 76ers and Knicks. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.6 assists per game for the Suns team that reached the NBA Finals in 2021 before losing to the Bucks. He has appeared in 477 NBA games and started 71.

“It just didn’t work out with Delon,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “Cam’s here. We’ve seen a lot of Cam the last two years with Milwaukee and New York. He’s a guy we always had to account for in scouts and what not. It’s a great opportunity for him.”

Payne is a career 36.8% shooter from 3-point range. He’s never started more than 15 games in a season or averaged more than 23.0 minutes per game for a season. However he’s averaging 16.0 points, 6.6 assists and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes for his career.

“His speed, his long-range shooting ability is high level,” Carlisle said when asked what he likes about Payne’s game. “He’s experienced, knows the game, has good feel, and he’s a playmaker.”

Wright played just under 4 minutes and scored two points on Tuesday night before his injury. The Pacers were already short-handed at point guard with All-Star Tyrese Haliburton out for the season with an Achilles tendon tear.

Wright posted on social media to thank well wishers after the injury. “Yes, that was a brutal hit I took but I am doing good,” Wright posted. “Just 10 stitches above my eye and 4 on my elbow.”

Thanks to everyone that prayed or sent get well wishes my way! Yes that was a brutal hit I took but, I am doing good just 10 stitches above my eye and 4 on my elbow.

— Delon Wright (@delonwright) October 9, 2025

Wright is the second point guard the Pacers have moved on from for injury reasons over the last month. They were set to sign Monte Morris but found in a medical evaluation that he would have to miss most of preseason camp with a calf strain.

Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.