The Pacers downgraded Aaron Nesmith from day-to-day to out on Tuesday's injury report with a left hamstring injury. He will miss Wednesday's game at New Orleans, with a listed expected return of Oct. 23.
What happened
Aaron Nesmith was ruled out on Tuesday's injury report, posted at 5:46 PM ET, with a left hamstring injury. He had been listed as day-to-day since Oct. 15 with the same hamstring issue, after an Oct. 13 listing for rest. The report's comment reads: "Nesmith (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against New Orleans." The report lists an expected return of Oct. 23. Nesmith is a 27-year-old guard-forward. Two other Pacers are also out: Johnny Furphy with a right knee injury and T.J. McConnell with a right hamstring injury.
What it means for the Pacers
The Pacers open at the Pelicans on Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET, their first game of the 2026-27 season, so there is no record with or without Nesmith yet. Last season he played 45 games and averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.7 minutes. Without him, the wing minutes have gone to Bennedict Mathurin at 31.8 per game and Jarace Walker at 25.7, with Kobe Brown, Jalen Slawson and Ben Sheppard also in the rotation. Pascal Siakam, at 33.2 minutes and 24.0 points, and Andrew Nembhard carry the rest of the load, with Ivica Zubac at 23.6 minutes inside.
What to watch
The listed expected return is Oct. 23, two days after the opener. The next injury report will say whether he stays out past Wednesday or moves back to day-to-day. Furphy and McConnell are also out, so the Pacers will be short in the backcourt and on the wing until at least one of the three is cleared. No further timeline has been announced.
Is Aaron Nesmith playing at the Pelicans on Wednesday?
No. He was ruled out on Tuesday's injury report with a left hamstring injury.
When will Aaron Nesmith be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 23. Anything beyond that date has not been announced.