Report: Domantas Sabonis could return this weekend

Two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis might return from a sprained left ankle this weekend for Indiana. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters, including James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star, that “the weekend is potentially in play.”

Sabonis injured the ankle during Indiana’s win over the Lakers last Wednesday. As we noted earlier Wednesday, Sabonis’ name has been frequently linked in trade rumors over the past couple of months, but it would take a lot to pry him from the Pacers. One reason for that, aside from his strong play, is he’s on a very team-friendly contract, having signed a four-year, $77M rookie extension in October of 2019. After this season is complete, he’s still under contract for two more years, and will earn $19,937,500 next season, followed by $21,312,500 in 2023-24.

The 25-year-old is having another outstanding season for Indiana, putting up 19 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per contest on .577/.327/.744 shooting through 44 games (34.9 minutes). Sabonis is also shooting a career-high 63.7% on two-pointers and leads the team in several advanced statistics, including player efficiency rating, true shooting percentage, win shares, box plus/minus, and value over replacement player, per Basketball Reference.

In addition to Sabonis, Caris LeVert, Myles Turner (currently sidelined with a stress reaction in his left foot), Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb have all been mentioned in trade rumors to varying degrees.