Chris Duarte and Bennedict Mathurin progressing towards return from ankle injuries, Tyrese Haliburton remains out for Indiana Pacers

Two young Pacers players could return soon while Haliburton is progressing

Chris Duarte and Bennedict Mathurin both have now missed multiple games for the Indiana Pacers of late with ankle injuries.

Mathurin hurt his right ankle against the Houston Rockets just under two weeks ago. He was down for a few minutes on the court before being carried to the locker room, and the Pacers have missed his scoring and attacking abilities.

He has not played since. The rookie is averaging 16.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this campaign.

Meanwhile, second-year wing Chris Duarte has missed each of Indiana's last two games with left ankle soreness. His ailment began just under one week ago when he exited a game against the Detroit Pistons early and missed the entire fourth quarter.

Duarte sprained his left ankle earlier this season and missed over six weeks of NBA action. He has only played in 45 games so far this year, a smaller number than what anyone hoped for after he made Second Team All-Rookie in 2021-22.

Duarte is averaging 8.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He has been missed on Indiana's second unit.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle provided an update on both players Saturday before his team took on the Philadelphia 76ers. "[Bennedict] and Chris will not play... [they] are doing better. It may be a conversation for Monday with [Bennedict] and Chris," the head coach said. Both players are officially listed as questionable for Indiana's game on Monday.

The blue and gold have gone 2-2 without Mathurin and 1-1 since Duarte's injury. Both players are young and growing, yet still contribute for the Pacers every night they are healthy.

Without them, Carlisle has turned to Geroge Hill and Oshae Brissett to fill out his rotation. Brissett has played often this season, though Hill is a newer addition. The veteran guard has filled in well and has knocked down 52.4% of his shots with Indiana in six outings.

On top of Mathurin and Duarte's absences, the Pacers have been without All-Star guard Tryese Haliburton. Carlisle said Saturday that "Tyrese's situation is probably going to be longer than [Duarte's and Mathurin's]. But he felt a little better yesterday than he expected and he's doing okay today. He's nowhere near as close as the other guys." Haliburton hurt his right ankle in a practice last Wednesday and is listed as out for Monday's game.

The shorthanded Pacers next play on Monday in Charlotte against the Hornets. They are battling to stay in the play-in hunt with less than a dozen games left in their season.

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