Pacers Injury Report: Multiple Key Wings Out for NBA Cup Bucks Game

Indiana will be short several critical pieces against Milwaukee.

Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers will be relatively shorthanded on Friday night, for a critical 2024 Emirates NBA Cup clash against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, wings Andrew Nembhard (left patellofemoral inflammation), Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) and Ben Sheppard (left oblique strain) all remain shelved. Power forward Jarace Walker, who had been questionable to play through an undivulged illness, has been upgraded and will be available, after all. Centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman of course remain on the shelf, probably for the year, with their respective Achilles tendon tears.

Two-way player Tristen Newton, who was expected to be on with Indiana's G League affiliate — the Mad Ants — is with the ailing Pacers proper.

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Indiana has announced that third-year shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin and young forward Quenton Jackson will join the franchise's first five, along with All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, All-NBA power forward Pascal Siakam, and 3-and-D center Myles Turner.

On the Bucks side of the equation, All-NBA Milwaukee power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will suit up despite a right patella tendinopathy. Emerging 3-and-D shooting guard AJ Johnson is sadly shelved with left Achilles tendinitis. Three-time All-Star starting small forward Khris Middleton has yet to make an appearance during the 2024-25 season as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on both his ankles, although he has been apparently cleared to do so for a month. Two-way center Liam Robbins is unavailable with a left heel contusion. Two-way point guard Ryan Rollins is unavailable with a dislocated left shoulder. Chris Livingston is on assignment to the Bucks G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

The action tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum, and will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana.

Milwaukee and Indiana are playing in East Group B. The Detroit Pistons (2-0 in cup play) lead their group at present, just ahead of the Bucks (1-0) and Miami Heat (1-1). The Pacers (0-1) and Toronto Raptors (0-2) have yet to win a game.

Last season, during what was then being called the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Pacers were the Bucks' kryptonite, beating them in Las Vegas during their run to the In-Season Tournament's first FInals, where they were crushed by All-Stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of their Los Angeles Lakers.

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