Pacers Notes: Huff, McConnell, Injuries, Bradley
Pacers center Jay Huff had a career night in Friday’s win over New Orleans, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required). The 7’1″ big man posted a career-best 29 points (on 13-of-17 shooting) while chipping in nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 29 minutes.
“(Huff’s) getting better just at understanding where he needs to be,” Pascal Siakam said. “Continuing to run the floor, get some good rolls. He’s a shooter, so sometimes I think he forgets that he’s seven-feet, you know?
“So get down there. Get some of those dunks, those tricky ones — he owes me an assist today too for that missed dunk he had — but naw, I think he’s just playing free, shooting open shots, running hard and playing hard and getting those rolls and he’s able to get buckets.”
Huff, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Memphis, got off to a relatively slow start with Indiana, averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds on .413/.294/.833 shooting in 34 games through the end of December (19.5 minutes per contest), Dopirak notes. However, the 27-year-old has played some of the best basketball of his career since the start of the new year, scoring 20-plus points three times and averaging 13.4 PPG and 3.6 RPG on .667/.424/.833 shooting over the past eight games (23.0 MPG).
“There’s growth with his connection with his teammates,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s feeling the game that we play better and better all the time.”
Known for his shot-blocking prowess, Huff — a former G League Defensive Player of the Year — is second in the league in blocks per game (2.1) among players who qualify, Dopriak adds.
Here’s more from Indianapolis:
- While there was little doubt that he would reach the threshold given that he’s been regular part of the rotation, Huff also had his salary for 2026/27 fully guaranteed after playing at least 825 minutes in 2025/26 — he’s currently at 845. His contract previously featured a $379K partial guarantee for next season, but he will now earn a guaranteed $2,667,944. The Pacers have a 2027/28 team option on Huff worth $3,005,085 — that figure will now be guaranteed as well if the option is exercised.
- Backup point guard T.J. McConnell joined Lou Williams as just the second player in NBA history to record at least 3,000 assists off the bench, per Tony East of Circle City Spin. The 33-year-old dished out nine assists on Friday to surpass that threshold. “Getting an assist, my teammates have to make the shots at the end of the day,” he said. “So for me, this says more about the players that I’ve played with in Philadelphia and especially here. Been fortunate to play with some great players in some great locker rooms, and just thankful for each and every teammate I’ve played with.”
- The Pacers will be shorthanded on Saturday in Detroit on the second of a back-to-back, tweets Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. Siakam (rest), McConnell (left knee/elbow injury management), Aaron Nesmith (rest) and Andrew Nembhard (lower back injury management) are all out. However, center Isaiah Jackson has a chance to return — he has been upgraded to questionable. Jackson has been out since December 23 due to a concussion.
- Tony Bradley‘s 10-day contract will expire on Saturday night, East notes (via Twitter). The veteran big man was waived at the beginning of January before his contract became guaranteed but Indiana brought him back a few days later. The Pacers have the option to re-sign Bradley to a second 10-day deal.
Pacers Notes: Potter, Mathurin, K. Jones, Nesmith
Fifth-year big man Micah Potter only signed with the Pacers on December 26, but he’s making a case to have his contract guaranteed next week, writes Tony East of Circle City Spin.
While Potter’s counting stats (eight points, three rebounds and three assists) were fairly modest in Wednesday’s two-point loss to Orlando, the Pacers played much better better when he was on the court — he was a game-high plus-23 in 26 minutes.
“Micah just knows the game. Plays hard, physical. Kinda just fits in,” Andrew Nembhard said. “He’s a good hooper. He’s had a lot of experience and can kind of just fill in.”
The 27-year-old got the starting nod over Jay Huff and Tony Bradley (DNP-CD) on Friday and responded with 16 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. Indiana wound up losing to San Antonio by 10 points, but the Pacers were plus-four with Potter in the game.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin had a disappointing outing Friday, recording five fouls in just under 20 minutes of action. He finished with two points (on 1-of-6 shooting), five rebounds and three assists. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Benn Mathurin,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game (Twitter link via East). “He’s starting… he’s second on the team in minutes played. There’s great opportunity here. We have to work at helping him adjust to this level of responsibility. This is a lot… It’s work.” Mathurin will be a restricted free agent in the summer if he’s tendered a qualifying offer.
- Carlisle liked what he saw from rookie guard Kam Jones on Friday, tweets Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. The second-round pick’s NBA debut was delayed by a back injury, but he was plus-16 in 10 minutes off the bench in the loss to the Spurs. “When he goes in games, good things happen,” Carlisle said. “That’s something that I gotta consider. He had a rough start of the season missing two months. … I see good things. I like his spirit. I like his energy.”
- Small forward Aaron Nesmith, who recently returned from a left knee sprain, appeared to suffer an injury to his left hand during Friday’s contest, per East (Twitter link). Nesmith got two of his fingers taped during the game and was in noticeable pain at times, East adds.
Eastern Notes: Kennard, Pacers, Martin, Hall
Luke Kennard had one of his best outings of the 2025/26 campaign in Wednesday’s victory over Minnesota, recording 15 points, six rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes off the bench. However, the veteran shooting guard admits his performance so far with the Hawks hasn’t been up to his typical standard, according to Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter links).
“I’ve had some good moments, good games, but nowhere near what I can be and what I expect of myself,” Kennard said. “They’ve been on me, my teammates and coaches, just to be aggressive and shoot the ball when I can. … I’m here for a reason, and for myself, I’m very hard on myself. I think I can do more, and I’m excited to just build off of it. And today was a great day for everybody, a great team win, and hopefully we can just build off of that.”
Kennard, who signed a one-year, $11MM deal with Atlanta last summer, will be an unrestricted free agent again in 2026.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- After Wednesday’s loss to Orlando, head coach Rick Carlisle said the Pacers have had some in-game disagreements amid their disastrous 6-28 start to the season, per Tony East of Circle City Spin (Twitter link). “In the second half, we played like a together team that was supporting each other and not like strangers. That’s how this has got to be. We’re having too much petty nonsense going on during games that needs to go away,” said Carlisle, who didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “petty nonsense.” When asked about his coach’s comment, forward Aaron Nesmith didn’t disagree, but said it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. “There may have been some petty nonsense, but I think it comes from a good place,” Nesmith said (Twitter link via East). “I think our competitive spirit in this game was pretty high. Sometimes that bleeds over into disagreeing on calls or guys help… guys are tired of losing.”
- The Pacers‘ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, has acquired the returning player rights to Cody Martin in a trade with the Capital City Go-Go, tweets East. The veteran wing had a brief stint with the Pacers earlier this season on a 10-day hardship contract.
- South Carolina native PJ Hall, who recently signed a two-way contract with the Hornets covering two seasons, tells Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer it’s “surreal” to join a team he grew up cheering on. “I grew up a Panthers fan, I grew up a Bobcats fan, grew up watching Al Jefferson and then Kemba (Walker) and he’s with the Hornets now,” Hall said. “So, I mean, it’s been awesome and a great experience to be able to come back, have that full circle moment.” The 23-year-old big man has gotten an opportunity to play amid injuries to Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kalkbrenner, and he may even get his first career start Friday at Milwaukee — Moussa Diabate is questionable to suit up due to a right wrist sprain, the Hornets announced (via Twitter).
Magic’s Suggs, Pacers’ Sheppard Return On Wednesday
Following a seven-game absence due to a left hip contusion, Magic guard Jalen Suggs will return to action on Wednesday against Indiana, the team announced (via Twitter). Suggs will immediately reenter Orlando’s starting lineup.
It’s good news for the Magic, who have a 13-8 record with Suggs available this season and a 5-7 mark in games he hasn’t played. An important contributor on both ends of the court, the fifth-year guard has averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 25.6 minutes per game, with a .471/.328/.862 shooting line. He has been out since injuring his hip in the NBA Cup semifinal vs. New York.
Orlando’s numbers with Suggs on and off the court reflect his value to the team. In his 538 minutes of action this season, the Magic have outscored opponents by 9.6 points per 100 possessions. In 1,056 minutes without him, the Magic’s opponents have the edge, by a margin of 2.6 points per 100 possessions.
Jonathan Isaac (sore left knee) and Jett Howard (illness) will miss Wednesday’s game for Orlando.
On the other side of the court, the Pacers are also getting a member of their backcourt back following an injury absence. According to head coach Rick Carlisle, Ben Sheppard will be available for Wednesday’s contest (Twitter link via Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star).
Sheppard has missed Indiana’s past 11 games due to a left calf strain, having last suited up on December 3. Prior to the injury, the third-year shooting guard was averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes per game, though he was struggling with his shot (.354 FG%, .273 3PT%).
Like Aaron Nesmith, who played 19 minutes on Saturday and 24 on Monday in his first two games back from a knee injury, Sheppard will likely be on a minutes restriction as he works his way back to 100%. Carlisle told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game that the team’s plan with Nesmith is to “gradually progress” his workload (Twitter link via Tony East of Circle City Spin).
Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith Expected To Return Saturday
Pacers small forward Aaron Nesmith has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s game in Miami, the team announced (via Twitter).
According to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (Twitter link), Nesmith is expected to play tonight. He has been out since November 13 — a span of 19 games — due to a left knee sprain.
Head coach Rick Carlisle indicated on Friday evening that Nesmith had a chance to return at some point in December.
In 11 games this season, Nesmith was averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while converting 37.3% of his three-point attempts, though he’s also shooting a career-worst 35.9% on twos. The latter figure will likely normalize over time, as 11 games is obviously a small sample size.
The 26-year-old wing, who is a strong and versatile perimeter defender, played an important role in helping Indiana reach the NBA Finals last season. Nesmith signed a veteran contract extension in October and cannot be traded in 2025/26.
Longtime backup point guard T.J. McConnell, who played 14 minutes in Friday’s loss to Boston, will be out Saturday due to right hamstring soreness, per the Pacers.
Pacers Notes: Losing Streak, Wiseman, Sheppard, Nesmith, Flight Delay
The Pacers have lost seven straight, including a 140-122 defeat at the hands of the Celtics on Friday. Guard Andrew Nembhard says the team needs to raise its intensity level.
“Guys are fighting at times, but it’s not consistent,” Nembhard said, per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “It’s not sustained throughout the whole game. Fighting sometimes doesn’t mean making shots or looking at the stat sheet, but doing those off-stat things. Sometimes we just have to put more onus on that and value it more.”
The Celtics, who led by as many as 28 points, shot 57% from the field and drained 20 three-pointers.
“It’s just everybody raising their intensity and their effort,” forward Jarace Walker said. “We’re just gonna have to get uncomfortable and do things that we’re not used to doing to end up on the winning side. Usually our talent and our skill and our shot-making take us there, but I think we have to find different ways to impact the game and just lay it out on the floor every night.”
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Why did Indiana release center James Wiseman so quickly after signing him on Dec. 20? Wiseman had to be “released” because the terms of his 10-day contract lasted through Dec. 30 but the hardship exception he was added on only lasted through Dec. 25, according to beat writer Tony East (Twitter link). The Pacers would have needed to be granted another hardship exception for Wiseman to remain with the team.
- Ben Sheppard and Aaron Nesmith are “progressing” in their rehab, according to coach Rick Carlisle, and it’s possible that Nesmith will return this month, East tweets. Strategically planned workouts are on tap for both players. Nesmith has been sidelined since Nov. 13 due to a left knee sprain, while Sheppard has been out since Dec. 3 due to a calf strain.
- The Pacers play the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday with a road contest against the Heat. They didn’t arrive until the wee hours of the morning on Saturday as their flight to Miami was delayed for almost two hours, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files tweets.
Central Notes: Cunningham, Nesmith, Pacers, Bucks
It was only two seasons ago that the Pistons lost 28 games in a row and wound up with the league’s worst record. Many of the players from that squad now find themselves on the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Cade Cunningham said the team’s previous futility is a constant motivator.
“So many long car rides after the games and stuff, long nights thinking about what could’ve happened different, stuff like that,” Cunningham told The Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II (subscription required). “That stuff lives with you. I carry it on the court all the time. I know my teammates carry it. (Isaiah Stewart) has had a lot of experiences in this league that he carries with him every time he plays. I think we’re all better for it.
“It’s the small things that make it up, and we’ve been through the losing end of those things and now, every night, we’re just trying to find ways to come out on top,” he added. “It’s just the details and (it’s) still early. We’re not satisfied or content with where we’re at right now. We’re just trying to keep on stacking, see where it takes us.”
Entering Saturday’s game, each of Detroit’s previous seven matchups had been decided by six points or less. The Pistons were 4-3 during that stretch.
“It’s crazy this year,” Cunningham said. “The difference in those plays is so small, you know? A loose ball with a minute and a half left in the fourth quarter, this year we’re coming up with it. In the past we don’t come up with it. We lose those games. This year we had a game [against Orlando] where we gave up a few offensive rebounds at the end, we lose that game. It’s the little plays that make up the outcomes. I think we’re just getting better at finding those moments and taking advantage more.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith has been out since Nov. 13 with a left knee MCL sprain. He’s not close to coming back, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “There’s no timetable,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “… It’s gonna be a while. Hopefully not too long. It would be great if he could be back playing some time this month. He’s making great progress with no setbacks. Time will tell, but I don’t have any set timetable for you.” Quenton Jackson, who has been out with a right hamstring strain since November 3, could return later this week. Second-round pick Kam Jones, sidelined since suffering a back injury in training camp, is ramping up his conditioning. Carlisle said Jones’ first games will most likely be with the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ G League affiliate.
- Carlisle has been employing a center by committee approach with Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and Tony Bradley sharing minutes. The Pacers were forced to improvise when Myles Turner left in free agency, and Carlisle has been pleased with the results in recent games. “A lot of progress,” he told Dopirak. “Doesn’t matter who starts. It’s a tag-team thing, it’s a brotherhood thing. Those guys’ job is to hold down the fort. Tony is included in that too. It’s important that the spirit is we just find a way to get it done.”
- Bucks coach Doc Rivers gave his team two days off after playing back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. His banged-up squad will have two big practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday’s game against the Celtics, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “I think it’s a very pivotal time for us,” forward Kyle Kuzma said. “It’s sink or swim. We have to treat it like that.”
Siegel’s Latest: H. Jones, Poole, Pacers, Warriors, Cavs, Heat
The Pelicans have long signaled that forward Herbert Jones is off limits in trade talks, and that stance didn’t change when Joe Dumars was hired to run the front office in the spring, writes Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
However, according to Siegel, with the Pelicans off to a miserable 3-20 start to the season and Dumars seemingly becoming more open to the idea of major changes, the odds of a deal involving Jones have grown “exponentially” in recent months. After signing a contract extension in July, Jones isn’t currently eligible to be traded, but that will restriction will lift on January 14, a few weeks before this season’s deadline.
Jordan Poole‘s status with the Pelicans will also be worth monitoring this winter, Siegel writes, pointing out that Jeremiah Fears‘ emergence as Dejounte Murray‘s potential return in the new year are factors that could make Poole expendable.
After being acquired by the Pelicans in the offseason, Poole got off to a shaky start this fall and has missed the past month with a quad strain. The 26-year-old also doesn’t have an especially team-friendly contract — he’s owed $31.8MM this season and $34MM next season – so his value would probably be pretty limited.
Here are a few more items of interest from Siegel’s latest round-up of rumors from across the NBA:
- While Pacers role players like T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard have drawn plenty of interest in recent years, Indiana is unlikely to make major changes to its roster this season, since the team believes it can be a contender again in 2026/27 with Tyrese Haliburton back in the lineup, according to Siegel. If the Pacers do make an in-season move, Bennedict Mathurin is considered their most likely trade candidate, Siegel adds, since he’s on an expiring contract and is eligible for restricted free agency over the summer.
- Siegel believes that if Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade and the Warriors make an offer, it’s more likely to be centered around Jimmy Butler than Draymond Green. According to Siegel, trading Green is “not something the Warriors plan on doing,” given his long-time importance to the organization.
- Teams around the league are keeping a close eye on the Cavaliers, who are off to an underwhelming 13-10 start, with rival executives wondering if the team might listen to inquires on starting center Jarrett Allen, per Siegel. Allen is earning $20MM this season before his three-year, $90.7MM extension begins in July.
- Viewed entering the season as possible deadline sellers, the 14-8 Heat are now widely viewed as more likely to be buyers, with forward Andrew Wiggins considered unlikely to be moved unless it’s in a deal that upgrades Miami’s roster, says Siegel.
Aaron Nesmith Projected To Miss Four Weeks With Sprained Knee
After saying the Pacers appeared to have “dodged a bullet” when Aaron Nesmith was injured on Thursday, coach Rick Carlisle told reporters tonight that his small forward is expected to miss four weeks, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Nesmith has been diagnosed with a sprained left knee, and he and the team are grateful that there was no ligament damage, Carlisle added.
“It’s likely going to be at least four weeks, so talk to me on the 15th (of December),” Carlisle said in his pregame press conference. “But it’s very good news. Very, very good news. He’s not in a brace. He’s walking. I say it’s likely going to be four weeks, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be less. It’s unclear at this time, but he’s doing very well and the news was very, very good.”
As Dopirak details, Nesmith injured the knee when his right foot came down on teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl‘s left foot. Nesmith’s right leg slid after the collision, causing his left knee to buckle. He rolled off the floor and had to be helped to the locker room.
Nesmith played a crucial role in Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals last season and has been asked to carry more of the scoring load as the Pacers have been decimated by injuries during a 1-11 start. He’s averaging a career-high 15.5 PPG through 11 games, but his shooting numbers have declined sharply to 36.7% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range.
Carlisle offered some encouraging injury news on Saturday as Bennedict Mathurin is nearing a return from a right great toe sprain. Mathurin scored 36 and 26 points in the first two games of the season before being sidelined.
“He’s getting close,” Carlisle said. “We did a simulated game kind of workout this morning. He went through things in prep today. He’s moving in a good direction.”
Central Notes: Nesmith, Pistons, Mitchell, Bucks
The injury-riddled Pacers suffered another one on Thursday as forward Aaron Nesmith suffered a left knee sprain. He won’t play in Saturday’s home game against the Raptors but head coach Rick Carlisle believes the team may have “dodged a bullet” regarding his injury, The Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak reports.
The Pacers think Nesmith avoided a “very serious” injury, according to Carlisle. Nesmith is averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The injury-depleted Pistons made it nine in a row with a win over Philadelphia on Friday. They rallied from a 12-point, third-quarter deficit despite Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris watching in street clothes from the bench. “They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part about our group,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, per Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. “They like it when it gets thick. They like it when it gets messy and it gets ugly. That’s where they thrive. We like to take people there; we like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond. We’ve just got a bunch of nasty dogs in that locker room, and they love it.”
- The Cavaliers didn’t reach the Finals last season despite being a top seed. That’s why Donovan Mitchell isn’t concerned about regaining the No. 1 seed this season. “Playing well at the right time (is what’s important),” Mitchell told D.J. Siddiqi of VideoGamer.com. “Would we love to do both? 1,000%. I’m not going to sit here and say we wouldn’t want to be the No. 1 seed. At the same token, we saw last year that you can do all the things, but if you’re not ready when that time goes and if you’re not necessarily healthy, it doesn’t really matter what you’ve done during the regular season. Would I love to be the No. 1 seed? Sure. But if we’re not, am I going to be panicking? No. As long as we’re playing our best basketball at the right time, that’s all that really matters.”
- The Bucks are off to an 8-5 start and The Athletic’s Eric Nehm shares his thoughts on what he’s seen from the team this season.