Rick Carlisle provides long-awaited injury updates on Aaron Nesmith and Benedict Mathurin

Carlisle’s latest updates on the Pacers’ injury list

Mathurin has been sidelined with a foot injury since late October, and Nesmith suffered a knee injury in the past week. Both players are crucial to the Pacers’ plans, as they need them to be healthy to contribute to their offense.

When everyone is healthy, the Pacers have a well-oiled machine on both ends of the floor. Mathurin serves as one of the Pacers’ best scorers, as he can score at all three levels. However, he is most reliable as a slasher due to his good mix of speed and strength.

On the other hand, Nesmith is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league. His run during the 2025 Playoffs proved that he is the optimal teammate to have alongside the Pacers’ star duo of Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.

Considering both players are important to the Pacers’ long-term future, it was up to head coach Rick Carlisle to provide the necessary updates on their players. Before the game against the Toronto Raptors, Carlisle provided statements about his two wings.

“It’s likely that it would be at least four weeks, so talk to me on the 15th. It’s very good news. He’s not in a brace, he’s walking, and so it’s likely that it will be four weeks, doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be less, but it’s unclear. He’s doing very well,” Carlisle said about Nesmith’s injury.

“Getting close, he (Mathurin) did a simulated game kind of workout this morning. He went through some things in the prep today. He’s moving in a good direction.”

The Pacers could consider the 2025-26 season a gap year

Now that the Pacers’ 2025-26 season is 13 games in, they have only won one game. It appears this season will be one of the worst in franchise history, as they have been dealing with numerous injuries throughout the first few months of the campaign.

Mathurin and Nesmith are prominent players to be sidelined, but they are not alone. Alongside the pair of wings and Haliburton, the Pacers are without Quenton Jackson, Johnny Furphy, Kam Jones, and Obi Toppin.

If this persists, it might be best for them to take a gap year approach for the 2025-26 season. The Pacers have their first-round pick in 2026, so if they are not successful this season, they could potentially secure a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

That could be the key for the long-term future, as they can pair Haliburton, Siakam, and the rest of the supporting cast with a potential superstar from the next class, such as Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantas, or Cameron Boozer. The Pacers will have an interesting few months ahead as they decide on their future.