T.J. McConnell Out with Injury: Pacers Adjust Roster
Indiana Pacers backup point guard T.J. McConnell will be out for at least a month due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the team’s first preseason game, according to coach Rick Carlisle.McConnell was injured during Tuesday night’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Faced with this situation, the Pacers have taken steps to reinforce their point guard position. The team has signed veteran Cameron Payne to a training camp contract. Consequently, the Pacers cut point guard Delon Wright, who also left the first preseason game due to a head injury. McConnell, 33, averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 assists last season in 79 games. In 23 playoff games, he contributed 9.5 points and 4 assists, helping the Pacers reach the NBA Finals. The Pacers were already facing a significant absence at the point guard position, as All-Star Tyrese Haliburton will be out for the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in the seventh game of the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Andrew Nembhard will be the starting point guard in Haliburton’s absence. The Pacers will start the regular season on October 23 against the Thunder, in a rematch of the Finals.It’s not as bad as it could have been, but it will take some time.
Rick Carlisle
