Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith will not travel with the Pacers to Miami, where Indiana plays its next two games, and will be evaluated early next week after suffering an injury against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
"Jalen Smith is going to stay back on this trip. He'll be evaluated when we get back," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said on Wednesday after his team practiced. "He's got a left knee bone bruise and a left heel contusion. The prognosis for him is pretty positive compared to what a lot of people saw."
Smith fell to the floor in the third quarter of the Pacers loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. He was rushing back to defend a Scoot Henderson transition layup attempt and landed awkwardly, and he needed to be helped back to the locker room.
The 23-year old big man is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. So far, he's having his best season ever and has been efficient from all over the floor. Smith has been Indiana's backup five thanks to his effective play all season long.
"He'll be evaluated when we get back. Hopefully it's not something where he's out too long," Carlisle said.
Smith has appeared in all but two games for the Pacers this season. In both of those outings, the team deployed Isaiah Jackson as their backup five, and the young center has filled in well. Jackson, a former first-round pick, is athletic and has contributed on both ends this season.
Jackson, 21, is averaging 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this year. When he was needed for a stretch earlier this season, he stepped up and gave the team important minutes. If he can remain focused on the little things, he will do just fine filling in for Smith.
"Isaiah has kept himself ready. He's contributed significantly in big games," Carlisle said. "This is the NBA. You're gonna get situations where guys miss some games and the next guy's got to be ready."
The Pacers agreed to a contract buyout with center Daniel Theis earlier this month, so they don't have any natural centers behind Jackson. In some recent games, Obi Toppin has filled in as the emergency center. Jackson currently has an upper respiratory infection, so Carlisle may need to get creative at the five.
With much up in the air behind Myles Turner, the Pacers are bringing rookie center Oscar Tshiebwe to Miami. The Pacers take on the Heat on Thursday and Saturday. Tshiebwe is naturally a center and has been a rebounding machine in the G League. He may be needed on this road trip.
"Oscar Tshiebwe will travel with us. He practiced with us today. He's been doing a really terrific job with the Mad Ants. He's kept himself ready," Carlisle said. In six G League games, Tshiebwe is averaging 19.2 points and 18.5 rebounds per game.
The first of two battles between the Heat and Pacers is tomorrow. Indiana will do their best with what they've got at the backup center spot.
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