Pacers' Jalen Smith: Set to be re-evaluated next week
Rotowire
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday that Smith has been diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise and a left knee heel contusion and will be re-evaluated early next week, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Smith exited Monday's loss to the Trail Blazers with the injury and appears likely to remain out for the Pacers' remaining two contests this week, as well as the team's In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals matchup with the Celtics on Monday. A better idea on a more precise timeline for his recovery should come into focus once he's re-evaluated. For however long Smith is out, Isaiah Jackson will likely step in as the top backup to starting center Myles Turner.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Will not return Monday
Rotowire
Smith (heel) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against Portland.
Smith's official diagnosis is a left heel contusion, which will sideline him for the remainder of Monday's contest, at minimum. Isaiah Jackson replaced him in Monday's rotation, but Jordan Nwora could be called upon as well.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Exits Monday, doubtful to return
Rotowire
Smith (heel) was forced to exit Monday's contest in the third quarter and is considered doubtful to return, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Smith is reportedly dealing with a left heel contusion, although details are scarce after he was initially rumored to have suffered a hyperextended left knee. Smith was carried off the court, which makes his initial diagnosis promising news, although further updates will likely provide more clarity.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Good to go against Orlando
Rotowire
Smith (head) is available for Sunday's game versus the Magic.
Smith left Indiana's previous contest with a head injury but is set to play Sunday. The 23-year-old big man is averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.1 minutes across his first nine appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Returns to practice Thursday
Rotowire
Smith (head) went through a "significant portion" of Thursday's practice, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Smith left Tuesday's game against Philadelphia with a head injury that led to a visit to the hospital. While it appears that Smith has avoided a serious injury, his status for Sunday's matchup with Orlando is uncertain.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Done for night with head injury
Rotowire
Smith left Tuesday's game against the 76ers with a head injury and won't return. He finished with five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and one assist in three minutes.
The Pacers announced that Smith is being transported to a local hospital for additional testing out of an abundance of caution. After Tuesday's contest, the Pacers have an extended break, with four days off before their next game Sunday against the Magic. Isaiah Jackson will likely slot into the rotation as the Pacers' backup center if Smith isn't ready to play Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (back) is available for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Smith was unavailable for Thursday's game against the Bucks due to a sore lower back, but he was expected to suit up Sunday despite his questionable designation. Over seven appearances this season, he's averaged 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Expected to play Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (back) is expected to play Sunday against Philadelphia, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Smith is dealing with lower back soreness, which forced him to miss Thursday's win over Milwaukee. Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin would see enlarged roles if Smith is out.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Questionable Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (back) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the 76ers.
Smith is in danger of missing his second straight contest Sunday due to lower back soreness. If he's ruled out, Isaiah Jackson will likely continue to serve as Indiana's backup center behind Myles Turner.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Scratched for Thursday
Rotowire
Smith was a late scratch for Thursday's game against the Bucks due to a sore lower back.
The Pacers had an empty injury report heading into Thursday, but they scratched Smith after tipoff started. Isaiah Jackson could potentially pick up the backup center minutes with this news.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Double-double off bench
Rotowire
Smith recorded 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-7 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 25 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 134-118 win over the Jazz.
The 23-year-old recorded his first double-double of the season after he produced a career-high seven over 68 games in 2022-23. Smith has had a very impressive beginning to the season as the Pacers' top big man on the second unit. While he won't be able to keep up his 71.7 percent shooting from the floor and 66.7 percent shooting from three-point range (8-for-12), he's providing some surprising fantasy value in deep formats.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Continues steady production
Rotowire
Smith racked up nine points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds and two assists across 12 minutes during Monday's 152-111 win over San Antonio.
Smith helped fuel a 49-36 rebounding edge for Indiana, although most categories were dominated by the Pacers on Monday, including their 57.9 percent shooting as a team. Smith hasn't exceed 21 minutes in a game thus far, but his per-36 minute averages yield 24.0 points and 12.4 rebounds.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Available to play Saturday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is available to play Saturday against the Hornets.
Smith was upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with a left knee sprain, and it will be the same case ahead of this contest. Smith has played off the bench in his four appearances to date and has scored in double digits in three of those contests.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Questionable Saturday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game versus the Hornets.
Smith was upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with a left knee sprain but could sit out the second leg of Indiana's back-to-back Saturday. Jordan Nwora, Isaiah Jackson and Jarace Walker are candidates to receive extended minutes if Smith is ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Available Friday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is available for Friday's game against Cleveland, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Smith was unavailable for Wednesday's game against Boston but will be back in action following a one-game absence. He averaged 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game over his first three appearances of the season, and it seems unlikely that he'll have significant restrictions Friday.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Questionable against Cleveland
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Smith was sidelined for the first time this season during Wednesday's game against Boston, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return Friday. If he sits once again, Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis could see increased run.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Celtics, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Smith has been downgraded from questionable to out and will miss his first game of the season due to a left knee sprain. His next chance to suit up will come Friday against Cleveland. In Smith's absence, Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis are candidates for slightly increased roles behind Myles Turner.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Dealing with knee sprain
Rotowire
Smith is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Celtics due to a left knee sprain.
Smith posted eight points (4-7 FG), two rebounds, one steal and one block in 16 minutes during Monday's loss to the Bulls, but he apparently tweaked his knee during the contest as well. The severity isn't yet known, but if Smith is sidelined, Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis would be candidates for slightly increased playing time off the bench behind Myles Turner.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Approaches double-double off bench
Rotowire
Smith accumulated 13 points (5-6 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and one steal over 13 minutes during Wednesday's 143-120 victory over the Wizards.
Smith came off the bench Wednesday but saw a decent role in the blowout victory. The 23-year-old was efficient from the floor and came within two rebounds of posting a double-double. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game over 68 appearances last year, and it appears as though he'll serve as the Pacers' primary backup at center to begin the year after Daniel Theis didn't see any playing time Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Jalen Smith: Questionable Friday
Rotowire
Smith is questionable for Friday's game against the Pistons due to right knee soreness.
Smith has started three of the last five matchups, averaging 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game. It's unclear whether his knee injury will prevent him from suiting up, but if he's available, his role will depend on whether Myles Turner (back) is able to return from his six-game absence.
