Pacers HC Rick Carlisle Provides Major Injury Update on Aaron Nesmith

Ricardo Klein | Jan 4, 2025

Oct 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) leaves the game after fouling out against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith is making significant progress as he recovers from his ankle injury.

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On Saturday, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told the media that Nesmith has been getting in some five-on-five work but will still need time to work on his conditioning.

Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Asked Carlisle for an update on Aaron Nesmith. He said he's been getting some five-on-five work. Said the reconditioning will take some time just because of how much time he's missed.

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) January 4, 2025

Nesmith has not played in over two months due to a left ankle sprain. Nonetheless, he is progressing well in his recovery and should still be considered week-to-week.

While that is the case, there is still no timetable for the 25-year-old.

Nesmith has only played in six games this season and has been solid when out there. He is averaging 9.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.7 steals while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three in 22.7 minutes of action.

The last time we saw Nesmith, he played only 10 minutes but scored 12 points, one rebound, and one assist without missing a shot. Nesmith is a former first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Celtics selected him with the No. 14 overall pick out of the University of Vanderbilt. He spent the first two years of his career in Boston and was a part of the 2022 team that reached the NBA Finals but fell to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Later that summer, Nesmith was traded, alongside Daniel Theis, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, Nik Stauskas, and a 2023 first-round pick, to the Pacers in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon.

Prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, the Pacers locked Nesmith up to a contract extension, agreeing to a three–year $33 million contract. The Pacers viewed him as a pivotal piece, which proved true last season, as he played a key role in their trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

This season, Nesmith has not had an opportunity to showcase his true skill, but the hope is that all will change in the coming weeks. The Pacers have missed his play as of late, but others have stepped up in his place, especially third-year guard Bennedict Mathurin.

Mathurin is averaging 16.7 points per game, ranked third in the team, along with 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, whole, shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.

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