Indiana Pacers: Injuries are a Huge Problem
For five consecutive seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, the Indiana Pacers made the playoffs, but they did not make it out of the first round. This past season, they didn’t even make the playoffs! Injuries have played a big role in the Pacers’ lack of success through the years and they are still dealing with key injuries to some of their key talents.
T.J. Warren suffered a foot injury last season just four games into the year and he missed almost the entire season after having surgery. Warren has still not recovered from said surgery/injury and is still currently rehabbing individually. Earlier this month, the Pacers provided an update on Warren’s status, stating that he is still out indefinitely.
Not only is T.J. Warren likely to miss the start of the 2021-22 season for the Pacers, but guard Edmond Sumner is already out after suffering an Achilles injury this offseason and now key talent Caris LeVert is out indefinitely with a back fracture.
On Tuesday, it was reported that LeVert has a stress fracture in his back that will likely keep him out for the entirety of Pacers’ training camp. When talking with the media, the young shooting guard sounded optimistic and provided some updates. “Up until today I’ve been practicing and doing all that stuff,” LeVert stated. “This is pretty minor compared to all that I’ve been through. It’s something that isn’t too major, but it’s something that we need to pay attention to.”
Once again, the Indiana Pacers will not be at full strength, which lessens their chances to make the playoffs already. Seeing as the play-in tournament gives the 9-seed and 10-seed a shot to make the playoffs, there is definitely a clear path for the Pacers to make the playoffs, but this team should be way better than their record over the last several seasons shows.
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At full strength, the Pacers’ starting lineup is as good as any other team in the league, but health has been a major concern for this franchise over the years. Head coach Rick Carlisle definitely has his work cut out for him to begin the season, as the Pacers could very well be without two of their key starters on Opening Night.
