Rick Carlisle discusses the Pacers’ injuries
Rick Carlisle said Bennedict Mathurin will be “week to week” and Obi Toppin will be out at least a month with injuries.
No one wanted to match the Indiana Fever for injury problems in 2025. The Indiana Pacers are giving them an early run for their money.
Eight of the 18 players on their opening-night roster have missed time due to injury, and seven are out for their Oct. 29 game at the Dallas Mavericks.
The NBA allows teams to exceed the 15-man roster limit when at least four players have missed three consecutive games and are expected to remain out for at least two more weeks. Players signing hardship exception deals usually join for 10 days.
The Pacers (0-3) should reach that threshold soon, with Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell and Kam Jones yet to play, and Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin in line to miss significant time. Indiana signed guard Mac McClung on Monday, Oct. 27.
The Fever lost six players — including Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham — to season-ending injuries and ended the season with a player originally signed to a 7-day hardship exception deal (Odyssey Sims) in the starting lineup. They reached the WNBA semifinals.
Here is the Indiana Pacers’ opening-day roster — less than one week ago — and the playing status of those players.
0, Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) will miss the 2025-26 season.00, Bennedict Mathurin (toe) is considered “week-to-week” as of Oct. 28, according to coach Rick Carlisle.1, Obi Toppin (hamstring) will miss at least a month, as of Oct. 28.2, Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) left the season opener on Oct. 23 and hasn’t played since.4, Taelon Peter (groin) left an Oct. 25 game has hasn’t played since.5, Jarace Walker averages 27.7 minutes and 8.0 points per game.7, Kam Jones (back) missed training camp but could return in November.9, T.J. McConnell (hamstring) suffered his injury in a preseason game and could return in November.10, RayJ Dennis has averaged 27.5 minutes in two appearances, averaging 9.5 points.11, James Wiseman, one of four post players, was waived on Oct. 27 in the wake of the backcourt injuries.12, Johnny Furphy (foot) appeared briefly in the season opener but has not played since. He missed time during the preseason with an ankle sprain.13, Tony Bradley has averaged 14 minutes and 6.3 points per game.22, Isaiah Jackson has started two games, averaging 11.7 minutes and 3.0 points.23, Aaron Nesmith averages 31.0 minutes, 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.26, Ben Sheppard has started two games, averaging 31.7 minutes, 10 points and 6.3 rebounds.29, Quenton Jackson missed the first two games due to injury but started on Oct. 26.32, Jay Huff has averaged 12.7 minutes and 4.0 points per game.43, Pascal Siakam averages 35.3 minutes, 26.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.