Pacers guard Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). However, according to Wojnarowski, the team is relatively optimistic about LeVert’s prognosis, viewing the injury as a “minor” setback and believing that he could still be ready to return around the start of the regular season.
There will be more testing to come on the injury, Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter).
LeVert, 27, has dealt with multiple serious health issues since entering the NBA in 2016. He broke his leg in gruesome fashion near the start of the 2018/19 season, then had surgery earlier this year to treat renal cell carcinoma of his left kidney.
When he got healthy and debuted for the Pacers last season, LeVert made a strong first impression, averaging 20.7 PPG and 4.9 APG in 35 games (32.9 MPG). The team had been hoping the former first-round pick would be 100% healthy entering his first full season in Indiana, but it looks like his status for opening night is up in the air.
The Pacers have been dealt some of the worst injury luck to open the 2021/22 league year. Edmond Sumner sustained a torn Achilles tendon that will likely sideline him for the entire season, while T.J. Warren‘s recovery from a foot injury is progressing slower than expected and he has been ruled out indefinitely.
Man I have stress fractures in my back from 2018 that didn’t heal properly and I still deal with them to this day …. Hoping for his sake his recovery is different. Guy has had a rough go.
Poor guy can’t catch a break.
Virtually everyone blasted the Rockets for not holding on to him in the trade.
But their backcourt is set for years to come with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter.
Ugh. This problem does not sound teensy!
Nothing is minor. When it comes to the back. Especially when you are an athlete. Wish him the best.
Rockets were idiots for not taking him. He’d be a big trade asset or can even play with Green. Both 6’ 6” .
Who applauds a dumb move. Dude you understand value.