Indiana Pacers
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Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton, Mikal Bridges to play for Team USA
Sun, Jun 4, 2023, 4:56 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
Tyrese Haliburton and Mikal Bridges will play for Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Analysis: Shortly after reporting that Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves and Bobby Portis will represent the USA in the FIBA World Cup, Shams Charania updated his list to include Haliburton and Bridges. Haliburton became an All-Star for the first time this season and solidified his name as one of the best point guards in the league. Bridges had a solid season for Phoenix, but he took his game to another level after the trade to Brooklyn. There will be more names announced before training camp in August, but this is a quality roster so far, even if it isn't as star-studded as it has been in the past.
Bennedict Mathurin
Bennedict Mathurin leads Pacers with 26 points
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 4:08 PM
Bennedict Mathurin posted a line of 26 points (6-of-13 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), three rebounds, six assists, one block, and two 3-pointers in 37 minutes during Sunday's 141-136 win over the Knicks.
Analysis: Seven Pacers reached double figures in Sunday's season finale, with Mathurin leading the way. The 26 points are the most he scored in a game since March 29, when the rookie dropped 29 on the Bucks in a 13-point defeat. While Mathurin did average nearly 17 points per game this season, the inconsistent production in categories other than points and rebounds limited his fantasy value. That's where he'll need to be better next season, especially if the Pacers stick with Mathurin as a starter alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Andrew Nembhard (19/3/9/3 with one 3-pointer) closed out his rookie season in a positive fashion, while Jordan Nwora (19 points, four rebounds, one block, and four 3-pointers) will have the opportunity to lock down a place in the rotation ahead of next season.
Isaiah Jackson
Jackson, Nesmith, Brissett available Sunday vs. NY
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:24 AM
Indiana Pacers on Twitter
Isaiah Jackson (head contusion), Oshae Brissett (lower back soreness) and Aaron Nesmith (head contusion) will play against the Knicks on Sunday.
Analysis: Jackson should continue to start at center with Jalen Smith and Myles Turner sidelined. That should lead to him swatting plenty of shots. Nesmith injured his head on Friday and only played 17 minutes. He should play his normal, larger role in this game. Brissett has played a minor role off the bench, where he hasn't been able to contribute much for fantasy leagues.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith (knee) downgraded to out Sunday vs NYK
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:22 AM
Indiana Pacers on Twitter
Jalen Smith (right knee soreness) will not play in Sunday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: Smith will not be available for the Pacers' final game of the season, joining Myles Turner on the sideline. Isaiah Jackson (head) has been cleared to play, so he'll be the starting center. James Johnson will take on some minutes at the center position but is not worth streaming for Sunday's schedule.
T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell, Myles Turner officially out vs. NY
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:19 AM
Indiana Pacers on Twitter
T.J. McConnell (right hip soreness) and Myles Turner (left ankle soreness) have been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against New York.
Analysis: McConnell and Turner came into this game as questionable, but Turner has been sidelined for their last seven games, so his absence doesn't come as much of a surprise. Isaiah Jackson should play big minutes at center. McConnell will miss a second straight game, which will allow George Hill to fill the backup point guard role behind Andrew Nembhard.
T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell (hip) questionable Sunday vs. NYK
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 3:47 PM
NBA Injury Report
T.J. McConnell (right hip soreness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: McConnell was held out for Friday's loss to the Pistons, with his absence freeing up rotation minutes for George Hill and Gabe York. Of the two, York would be in line to play more if McConnell is held out for the final game of the season.
Aaron Nesmith
Aaron Nesmith, Oshae Brissett questionable Sunday
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 3:44 PM
NBA Injury Report
Aaron Nesmith (head contusion) and Oshae Brissett (lower back soreness) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: Nesmith took a shot to the head from Detroit's Jalen Duren during Friday's loss to the Pacers, hence his addition to the injury report. Should he sit out the season finale in New York, that would open up a spot in the starting lineup. As for Brissett, he would be a candidate to replace Nesmith in the starting lineup, but he's also questionable to play. Neither has been very impactful in fantasy basketball this season.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson questionable Sunday
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 3:38 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith (right knee soreness) and Isaiah Jackson (head contusion) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: While Myles Turner is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's season finale, it's safe to assume that he won't play. Smith, who sat out Friday's loss to the Pistons, and Jackson being on the injury report would complicate things regarding the interior rotation if both are ruled out. James Johnson served as the backup center on Friday and would be in for an increase in minutes if Smith and/or Jackson cannot play.
Isaiah Jackson
Isaiah Jackson rejects three shots, scores 15 PTS
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 9:14 PM
Isaiah Jackson shot 7-of-10 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Friday's 122-115 loss to the Pistons, recording a line of 15 points, seven rebounds, one steal, and three blocks in 29 minutes.
Analysis: With Jalen Smith joining Myles Turner on the sideline, Jackson received the starting nod on Friday and played well. He racked up four defensive contributions while shooting 70% from the field. Jackson's been a 10th-round player in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks, and while that isn't great value, it's enough to make him a player worth having in lineups for the Pacers' final game of the season on Sunday. James Johnson served as the backup center on Friday, playing 19 minutes and finishing with six points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield scores 22 off the bench vs. Pistons
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 9:03 PM
Buddy Hield shot 7-of-14 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in Friday's 122-115 loss to the Pistons, accounting for 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 22 minutes.
Analysis: Coming off the bench in five of the six games played prior to Friday, Hield's production slipped in that new role. In 25.6 minutes per game, he averaged 12.2 points while shooting 41.7% from the field. Hield was far better than that on Friday, with the 22 points being the most he's scored in a game since March 2 vs. San Antonio (27). Indiana has one more game to play this season, and it would not be a surprise if Hield's workload were lessened or if he was held out altogether. Hield's been a top 50 player in 9-cat formats this season, well above his Yahoo ADP of 83. But the change in roles down the stretch, with rookie Bennedict Mathurin (16/4/3/2 in 39 minutes) moving into the starting lineup, will impact Hield's standing come draft season.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner (ankle) downgraded to out for Friday
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 5:10 PM
NBA Injury Report
Myles Turner will sit out Friday's game against the Pistons with a sore left ankle.
Analysis: Turner will miss another game, and despite the initial status of questionable, fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that he won't play again this season. With Jalen Smith also ruled out for Friday'sgame, Isaiah Jackson will be the starting center.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith (knee) ruled out Friday vs. Pistons
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 4:24 PM
Scott Agness on Twitter
Jalen Smith will not play in Friday's game against the Pistons with a sore right knee.
Analysis: Smith joins Myles Turner on the sideline for Friday's game, which means an increased workload for Isaiah Jackson. While the offensive production can be unpredictable, he's worth placing into lineups for the blocked shot potential alone.
T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell (hip) downgraded to out for Friday
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 4:22 PM
Scott Agness on Twitter
T.J. McConnell has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons with a sore right hip.
Analysis: McConnell, who's been a quality fantasy asset with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, will miss Indiana's penultimate game of the season. His absence means even more playing time for starter Andrew Nembhard, and Gabe York should also see his minutes increase. Nembhard is the better fantasy option of the two.
T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell (hip) questionable Friday vs. DET
Thu, Apr 6, 2023, 4:04 PM
NBA Injury Report
T.J. McConnell (right hip soreness) is questionable to play against Detroit on Friday.
Analysis: McConnell has been the backup point guard behind Andrew Nembhard with Tyrese Haliburton out. If McConnell doesn't play in this game, George Hill will likely fill the void at backup point guard, though he won't be much of a streaming option.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith (knee) questionable Friday vs. Detroit
Thu, Apr 6, 2023, 4:02 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith (right knee soreness) is questionable to play against the Pistons on Friday.
Analysis: Smith has been the starter at center for Indiana with Myles Turner sidelined. If Smith misses this game, Isaiah Jackson should get the start, where he has been adept at supplying blocks.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner (ankle) questionable Friday vs. DET
Thu, Apr 6, 2023, 3:58 PM
NBA Injury Report
Myles Turner (left ankle soreness) is questionable to play against Detroit on Friday.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith scores 19 points with three blocks
Wed, Apr 5, 2023, 9:20 PM
Jalen Smith accounted for 19 points (8-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), three rebounds, two steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers in Wednesday's 138-129 loss to the Knicks in 26 minutes.
Analysis: Smith didn't offer much production on the glass, but he did lead the Pacers in scoring while also racking up two steals and three blocked shots. While he's largely been a fantasy disappointment after starting the season as the Pacers' starting power forward, Smith has been an 11th-round player in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks. Isaiah Jackson came off the bench on Wednesday, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and one blocked shot in 22 minutes. Rick Carlisle has alternated between the two with his recent starting lineups, and both will be solid fantasy options for the Pacers' final two games of the season.
T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell records 18/5/12/2 stat line vs. NYK
Wed, Apr 5, 2023, 9:14 PM
T.J. McConnell played 22 minutes in Wednesday's 138-129 loss to the Knicks, accounting for 18 points (7-of-11 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer.
Analysis: With Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) not expected to play again this season and Andrew Nembhard (12/3/8/1 with one 3-pointer) struggling on both ends of the floor, McConnell gave the Pacers a legitimate chance of winning the game. The double-double was his sixth of the season, which is a career-high. Buddy Hield (13/2/6/0/1 with three 3-pointers in 22 minutes) also gave the Pacers solid production off the bench, but it wasn't enough to make up for the starters getting severely outplayed by the Knicks' first five. Indiana has two more games to play this week, and McConnell will be a solid fantasy option for both.
Jalen Smith
IND starting Nembhard, Benn, Nwora, Nesmith, Smith
Wed, Apr 5, 2023, 5:43 PM
Indiana Pacers on Twitter
Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Jordan Nwora, Aaron Nesmith, and Jalen Smith will start Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Analysis: With the Pacers again without Myles Turner, it is Smith's turn to start with Isaiah Jackson coming off the bench. Both players will get the rotation minutes needed to be of value to fantasy basketball managers. Indiana's other four starters are unchanged from Sunday's loss to the Cavaliers.
Bennedict Mathurin
Bennedict Mathurin scores team-high 19 vs. CLE
Sun, Apr 2, 2023, 10:05 PM
Bennedict Mathurin started and played 33 minutes in Sunday's 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers, putting up 19 points (5-of-12 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), nine rebounds, two blocks, and one 3-pointer.
Analysis: With Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner possibly out for the remainder of the season, young players such as Mathurin have every opportunity to show what they can do. The lottery pick led seven double-digit scorers on the night, and since scoring six points on 3-of-8 shooting in losses to the Celtics and Hawks on March 24-25, he's scored at least 15 in four straight games. Mathurin's issue fantasy-wise has been inconsistent production in the assists, steals, and blocks categories. Despite moving into the starting lineup on March 20, he's ranked outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks. Two other Pacers also worthy of fantasy attention have been Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, as they've taken advantage of Haliburton's absence. Nembhard (13/2/8/3 with one 3-pointer) and McConnell (16/2/5) have been slightly more valuable in fantasy basketball than Mathurin, and both are rostered in less than 40% of Yahoo leagues. Indiana only plays three games in Week 24, beginning on Wednesday against the Knicks.

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