Aaron Nesmith was cleared on the injury report Friday at 5:36 PM ET after being listed as day-to-day. The Pacers wing is now an option against the Mavericks at 7:00 PM ET, after he missed Indiana's season-opening win.
What happened
Aaron Nesmith was cleared on the injury report at 5:36 PM ET on Friday, Oct. 23. That came less than an hour and a half before tip-off against the Mavericks. His previous status was day-to-day. The report gave no detail and no comment with the change. Nesmith is a 27-year-old guard-forward, and his status has changed several times this month. He was day-to-day for rest on Oct. 13 and day-to-day with a hamstring issue on Oct. 15. He was ruled out with a left hamstring issue on Oct. 20, then moved back to day-to-day on Oct. 21.
What it means for the Pacers
Indiana hosts Dallas at 7:00 PM ET Friday. The Pacers are 1-0, seventh in the standings, and they won their opener without Nesmith. Last season he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.7 minutes over 45 games. In the win without him, Pascal Siakam scored 30 points in 35.3 minutes and Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 in 33.5. Andrew Nembhard added 18 in 33.7 minutes. Obi Toppin scored 20 in 24.7 minutes off the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr. played 27.7 minutes, Jarace Walker 18.5 and Quenton Jackson 15.5. Ben Sheppard (left knee), Johnny Furphy (right knee) and T.J. McConnell (right hamstring) are still out.
What to watch
The question now is how much Nesmith plays against Dallas. No minutes limit and no role have been announced. He missed the opener, so Friday would be his first game of the season. The next injury report will show whether the left hamstring stays off the list. Sheppard, Furphy and McConnell are all still out, and no return date has been announced for any of them.
Is Aaron Nesmith playing vs Mavericks on Friday?
He was cleared on the injury report at 5:36 PM ET Friday, ahead of the 7:00 PM ET tip-off against Dallas. His minutes have not been announced.
When will Aaron Nesmith be back?
He has been cleared, so he is available as of Friday's game against the Mavericks. The Pacers have not announced a minutes plan.