Pacers expected to qualify for hardship exception as injuries mount

The Pacers are running out of bodies, and they’re now expected to qualify for an NBA hardship exception, as relayed by Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files.

The exception allows teams to temporarily exceed the 15-man roster limit when at least four players have missed three consecutive games and are expected to remain out for at least two more weeks. Players signed under the exception typically join on 10-day contracts.

Given Indiana’s growing injury list, that threshold won’t be hard to reach. The Pacers are already without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (hamstring), and Bennedict Mathurin (toe).

Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, Taelon Peter, and Johnny Furphy are all nursing ailments of their own, leaving coach Rick Carlisle scrambling to fill rotations.

Indiana made one roster move Tuesday, waiving James Wiseman and signing guard Mac McClung to help stabilize the backcourt. More help could soon follow if the league grants the hardship exception, which would open a temporary roster spot.

It’s been a tough start for the Pacers (0-3), who entered the season already missing their franchise point guard.

With injuries continuing to pile up, the reigning Eastern Conference champs may need reinforcements just to stay afloat through November.