2 min read • February 15, 2022
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In the wake of multiple roster-revamping trades, the Pacers are dealing with lingering injuries to 3 of their most important pieces: Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, and Chris Duarte.
In their absences, recently acquired Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Smith will all continue to fill in for the missing starters, while fan-favorite Lance Stephenson is an essential spark-plug off the bench.
Let's check in on the status and outlook for each of these young players.
Malcolm Brogdon has dealt with the most concerning and frustrating injury, missing the past 13 games with right achilles soreness while being listed as questionable ahead of the last bunch.
He first felt the soreness on Dec. 15, but finished that game (there is no definitive video evidence of a traumatic injury); since then, Brogdon has played only 51 total minutes across 3 partial games and suffered a setback after each attempted return.
The achilles tendonitis – which is not related to the plantar fascia tear he suffered in 2019, despite both being in the heel – is a slow-healing ailment. This is because it is avascular, or relating to a lack of blood flow, similar to other foot injuries, like that of his teammate Myles Turner.
Because it does not appear to be a strain or other traumatic injury, it does not have great risk of worsening to a tear, but his return will likely continue to be delayed. Because of the multiple setbacks, the Pacers would be right to be cautious to ensure he will be able to make a full return.
Myles Turner, who was a projected trade candidate, has missed the last 15 games with a stress reaction in his left foot.
The initial timeline after presumably suffering the injury on Jan. 14 was reported as a month, confirmed by our team of ProBasketballDocs, which would represent a return for the 25-year-old after the All-Star break this weekend.
That deadline, however, is a tentative one, as stress reactions – especially for big men – can be fickle and elevate to stress fractures, which would effectively end his season.
Turner missed 22 of the final 23 games last season with a torn plantar plate in his right foot, meaning the 6'11" center has had extensive problems in both feet only 7 years into his career, and giving more credence to the Pacers being careful with his comeback.
Rookie guard Chris Duarte left the game on Sunday after suffering a left big toe injury early in the 1st quarter.
He appeared to jam his big toe while landing after a made basket with 9:51 left in the quarter, and subbed out and immediately into the locker room with 7:46 left.
While the big toe is vital for running, pushing, and jumping, it doesn't appear to be a turf toe injury, which would mean a longer-term absence.
The 24-year-old has been ruled out for the final 2 games of ahead of the break, and recent reports say he is likely to miss the Rising Stars Game on Feb. 18.
Hopefully, he can play on Feb. 25 vs the Thunder, Indiana's 1st game after the break.
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