Pacers center Jalen Smith suffers injury against Portland Trail Blazers

Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith suffered an injury on Monday night when the Pacers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers.

During the third quarter, Smith sprinted back in transition in an attempt to get a stop and landed awkwardly. He went up to block a layup attempt by Scoot Henderson, and his left leg bent abnormally on the landing.

Smith stayed on the ground in pain, reaching for his lower left leg. He was carried off the floor by two Pacers staff members and carried back into the tunnels of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

After a few minutes, the Pacers shared that Smith was doubtful to return to the game with a left heel contusion, and he was limping postgame. He did not play another minute, and Isaiah Jackson assumed the backup center duties for the rest of the night.

Indiana did not have a formal practice on Tuesday and doesn't play another game until Thursday, so the team has not provided an update on the status of the young big man yet. More will be known tomorrow.

Smith is having a great start to the season, so any absence for the reserve center will be a significant loss. He's been on fire from deep and has upped his level both around the rim and on defense, and he's been crucial to Indiana's second unit success this year. He earned the backup center job with his strong play throughout the preseason and training camp.

Smith recently dealt with a head injury, but it didn't cause him to miss any action. He, alongside Jackson, played a critical role in the Pacers most recent win.

The 23-year old is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. So far, he's canned 70.7% of his shots from the field. Indiana would have to adjust with more time for Jackson, and possibly two-way contract big man Oscar Tshiebwe, if Smith is sidelined for any upcoming game action.