Sheppard contributed 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal over 19 minutes during Monday's 121-103 loss to the Bulls.
Bennedict Mathurin moved into the starting lineup Monday, while Tyrese Haliburton missed his third straight game with a hip injury. Despite moving back to the bench, Sheppard was one of the few bright spots for Indiana in this blowout loss. His fantasy appeal remains limited to deeper formats, however, as he's averaging 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 three-pointers in 19.6 minutes over his last 10 games.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Back to bench Monday
Rotowire
Sheppard is not in the Pacers' starting lineup against the Bulls on Monday, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Even though Tyrese Haliburton will miss a third straight game due to a hip injury, Sheppard will come off the bench Monday while Bennedict Mathurin enters the starting five. Sheppard has averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 19.7 minutes per game since the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Sinks three triples off bench
Rotowire
Sheppard closed Sunday's 127-112 win over Chicago with nine points (3-6 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists across 21 minutes.
Sheppard remains restricted to a reserve role in Indiana's rotation, having failed to reach double figures in scoring in seven consecutive games. Across his last seven contests, the 2023 first-rounder has averaged 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 20.6 minutes. Sheppard's fantasy upside should remain capped while the Pacers are mostly healthy, and he hasn't seen an uptick in value amid Bennedict Mathurin's (wrist) absence.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Returning to bench
Rotowire
Sheppard isn't in the starting five for Saturday's game versus the Hawks.
Andrew Nembhard will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup from Sheppard on Saturday after missing Indiana's previous outing due to a back injury. Sheppard is averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 19.6 minutes across his previous 10 appearances coming off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Season-high assists in win
Rotowire
Sheppard chipped in 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-6 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 133-119 victory over the Pistons.
With Bennedict Mathurin battling an illness, Sheppard got a considerable bump in playing time during Wednesday's win against the Pistons. The 23-year-old guard posted a season-high four assists against Detroit while playing a season-high 33 minutes for the Pacers and scoring in double digits for the fifth time during the 2024-25 campaign with 12 points.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Joins starting lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Sheppard is starting in Wednesday's game against the Pistons, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Bennedict Mathurin (illness) is out for the Pacers on Wednesday, allowing Sheppard to make his eighth start of the season. Sheppard has averaged 4.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 threes and 0.7 steals in 26.6 minutes across seven games as a starter this season.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Moves to bench
Rotowire
Sheppard will come off the bench Thursday against Detroit, Keith Langlois of the Pistons' official site reports.
Aaron Nesmith is returning from a 35-game absence Thursday, but he'll be operating under a minutes restriction. Bennedict Mathurin is suspended for this contest, however, so there are still plenty of minutes up for grabs in the second unit.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Retreating to bench Sunday
Rotowire
Sheppard is not in the Pacers' starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Celtics, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Sheppard started against Boston on Friday and finished with two points, two rebounds and one assist over 20 minutes. He'll revert to a reserve role Sunday as Andrew Nembhard will return from a one-game absence due to left knee injury management.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Starting vs. Boston
Rotowire
Sheppard is starting against the Celtics on Friday, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Sheppard will make his first start since Nov. 17 with Andrew Nembhard (knee) ruled out. Sheppard is averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in five previous starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) will play in Monday's game against the Warriors.
Sheppard will be active for a third straight game after missing 14 consecutive contests due to an oblique injury. His availability is especially encouraging considering Monday's game is the second of a back-to-back. He's played 16 and 17 minutes, respectively, since coming back from the injury.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Perfect shooting night Sunday
Rotowire
Sheppard registered 14 points (5-5 FG, 4-4 3Pt) and one rebound in 17 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 122-95 victory over the Kings.
It was the second-year guard's second game back from an oblique strain, and Sheppard looked fully healthy on a perfect night from the floor. The four made threes were his highest total since a 6-for-11 performance from long distance Nov. 1 against the Pelicans. The 2023 first-round pick had worked his way into the starting five prior to getting hurt, but with Aaron Nesmith (ankle) currently sidelined, Sheppard is probably ticketed for a key role on the Pacers' second unit.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Good to go Sunday
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) is available for Sunday's game against the Kings, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Sheppard returned to action in Thursday's win over the Suns following a multi-week absence due to a left oblique strain. The 23-year-old will likely operate under a minutes restriction as the club works him back to playing form.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Questionable to play Sunday
Rotowire
Sheppard is questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings due to a left oblique strain.
Sheppard played 16 minutes Thursday in his first appearance since Nov. 17 due to the same injury he's listed with ahead of Sunday's game. A decision on Sheppard's status will be made closer to Sunday's 6 p.m. ET tipoff, though if he's available, he should see minutes off the bench but not much of a prominent role.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Will play in Phoenix
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) has been cleared to play Thursday against the Suns, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Sheppard will see the court for the first time since Nov. 17 after recovering from a strained left oblique. The team stated the 23-year-old will have his minutes limited Thursday, though no range was provided.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Upgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Suns.
Sheppard has been sidelined since Nov. 17 due to a strained left oblique, but he's listed on the injury report as questionable for the first time since sustaining the injury. While he'd almost certainly be under a minutes restriction if cleared, Sheppard seems to be close to full health.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) is out for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
Sheppard will miss a fourth consecutive contest with this oblique injury, and there's no timetable for when he'll return to the court. Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson will continue to see more time at the small forward role, as the Pacers remain very depleted in terms of their wing depth. Sheppard's next chance to play will come against the Pelicans on Monday on the second half of a back-to-back set.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Out again Wednesday
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Houston, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Sheppard will miss a second straight game due to the left oblique strain. The second-year wing has been a consistent shooter for the Pacers this season, connecting on 40.4 percent of his 3.6 three-point attempts per game. In his absence Wednesday, Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson are candidates to handle enlarged roles.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Likely to avoid lengthy absence
Rotowire
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Sheppard (oblique) could be available to return to action Wednesday against the Rockets, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Sheppard missed Monday's 130-119 loss to the Raptors with a left oblique strain, and though injuries of this sort can often lead to multi-week absences, Carlisle said that the second-year wing's oblique issue isn't particularly serious. While Carlisle wasn't willing to formally commit to Sheppard being ready to play Wednesday, the coach suggested that the 23-year-old is a good bet to return to the lineup no later than Friday (at Milwaukee) or Sunday (vs. Washington). Jarace Walker moved up to the top unit Monday as a replacement for Sheppard, who had started in each of Indiana's preceding five contests and averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 three-pointers and 0.8 steals in 27.0 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Out against Toronto
Rotowire
Sheppard (oblique) won't play against the Raptors on Monday, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Sheppard suffered a left oblique strain Sunday against the Heat and was unable to return. In the meantime, T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson are candidates to see increased reps for the Pacers, as Aaron Nesmith (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (knee) also remain sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Won't return vs. Miami
Rotowire
Sheppard has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Heat due to a left oblique strain, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Sheppard strained his left oblique during the third quarter of Sunday's game, and he'll finish with three points, three rebounds, one assist and one block over 26 minutes. T.J. McConnell and Quenton Jackson are in line to see more minutes off the bench in Sheppard's absence. Given the Pacers' upcoming schedule, Sheppard is in danger of being sidelined for the second leg of a back-to-back against the Raptors on Monday.
