NBA Notes: Pacers, Aaron Nesmith, Bulls, Dalen Terry, Pistons

Pacers

The Pacers watched Aaron Nesmith crawl off the floor Thursday in Phoenix, the kind of scene that usually spells bad news. This time, they’re hoping it won’t.

As Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star wrote, Nesmith’s left foot bent awkwardly as he dropped into a defensive stance in the third quarter.

He needed help to the locker room, and the team quickly ruled him out with knee soreness.

Nesmith was limping after the game and had ice on the knee, but Dopirak noted he wasn’t on crutches. Rick Carlisle said early signs suggest the Pacers avoided something catastrophic.

“Hoping that Aaron’s situation is not very serious,” Carlisle told reporters. “It looks like we may have dodged a bullet… but he will miss some time.”

Even missing “some time” hurts. Indiana is already living through a nightmarish injury streak that started with Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals.

Seven players were out Thursday. The Pacers lost by 35 and fell to 1-11.

Nesmith has taken on a bigger offensive load and remains Carlisle’s most versatile defender.

“It hurts,” Carlisle said. “He’s a top player on this team.”

Jarace Walker’s shooting slump hasn’t helped. Per Dopirak’s tweet, Walker’s percentage dipped to 29.7% after an 0-of-10 night in Phoenix and a 1-of-8 showing in Utah. He lost his starting spot Tuesday after seven straight starts.

Bulls

Dalen Terry expected a bigger role this season. Instead, as Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times reported, he’s appeared in seven of 11 games and is averaging just 5.9 minutes.

No rookie-scale extension means he’ll be a restricted free agent, but Terry says he’s not letting frustration take over.

“It’s been a situation I’ve been in my whole life,” Terry said. “With this being a contract year… guys can go into a dark place. But it’s just basketball, and we’re winning right now. So my feelings aren’t really the priority.”

Pistons

Detroit sits at 10-2 and atop the East, but Friday’s NBA Cup game vs. the 76ers comes with a hefty injury report.

As Hunter Patterson of The Athletic relayed, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart are all questionable. Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris are out.