INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers early-season injury woes continued on Friday night in Louisiana.
Forward Isaiah Jackson went down with a leg injury during the fourth quarter of Indiana’s 125-118 loss to the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. According to the Pacers’ official website, an MRI conducted Saturday afternoon confirmed Jackson suffered a torn right Achilles tendon.
The Pacers have reported that Jackson will undergo surgery on Monday. The team indicated it will provide additional updates on Jackson’s status “as appropriate.”
Jackson’s injury thins an already-depleted Pacers front court. During their season-opening victory over the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 23, the Pacers lost backup center James Wiesman to an injury.
Reports that surfaced after the game indicated Wiesman had torn his Achilles tendon. Wiesman — who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft — signed a two-year deal worth more than $4 million with the Pacers in the offseason.
Wiesman’s injury vaulted Jackson — who did not play against Detroit — into a bigger role. After Wiesman got hurt, Jackson played in each of Indiana’s next five games. In those five games, Jackson averaged seven points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
With Jackson — a 22-year-old and 2021 first round draft pick — now sidelined, Indiana will turn to the likes of Obi Toppin, Enrique Freeman, James Johnson and Jarace Walker for added front court depth.
Center Myles Turner and forward Pascal Siakam remain the Pacers’ two starting bigs.
Jalen Smith, who played significant minutes in the Pacers’ front court last season, is no longer with the team, as he signed a deal with the Chicago Bulls during the offseason.
Jackson and Wiesman’s injuries come during a rocky start to the season for Indiana. The Pacers are currently 2-4. Their record is good for 10th place in the eastern conference.
The Pacers have Saturday and Sunday off before facing the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday at 9:45 p.m.
