Indiana Pacers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Indiana Pacers center Isaiah Jackson (groin) is available ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. The big man is set to make his season debut after sitting out the season opener. Normally, Jackson's status isn't noteworthy, but he's now the primary backup center with James Wiseman (Achilles) done for the season. The assumption is that Jackson will absorb some of the playing time that Wiseman was going to get this season. Unfortunately, Jackson probably will still only see minutes in the teens, which makes him tough to trust while Myles Turner is healthy.

Indiana Pacers center Isaiah Jackson (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of the season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The good news is that the Pacers are considering Jackson as day-to-day with this minor groin issue. Head coach Rick Carlisle doesn't believe this is something that is going to sideline Jackson for long. The absence of Jackson would probably mean James Wiseman serves as the primary backup center to Myles Turner. Wiseman is a former top draft pick, but hasn't lived up to the hype. He might see 15-20 minutes without Jackson, but he hasn't proven to be a trustworthy option throughout his career.

Indiana Pacers centerMyles Turner expects big things from former Pistons center James Wiseman this season. "I feel like once he gets the opportunity that he's been looking for, he's going to take it and run with it. I genuinely want to see him succeed," Turner said at Monday's team's media day. Last season, Wiseman averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 63 contests in the Motor City. Alongside Turner, the 23-year-old could be a helpful addition to the Pacers front court, but he would likely not make an impact in fantasy this season.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin delivered encouraging news at the Pacers Media Day, revealing he has been fully cleared to participate after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The team is looking for a significant progression from the former No. 6 overall pick this year. Entering his third season at just 22 years old, Mathurin will be an integral part of a dynamic and fast-paced Pacers squad. Last season, he showcased his potential by averaging 14.5 points and 4 rebounds over 59 games. Mathurin stated he's been at full strength for about a month and a half, ensuring he's ready to make an immediate impact after his sophomore campaign was cut short by a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Pacers are excited to see him back on the court for the upcoming season.

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the club on Friday. Although the 32-year-old isn't a starter, he is one of the most essential players on the Pacers' roster. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 10.2 points with 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals and was even more productive throughout the postseason. With that said, Tyrese Haliburton's health is seemingly always an issue, so fantasy managers should strongly consider adding McConnell for insurance purposes heading into opening night.