Ouch, talk about a rough start to the season! James Wiseman’s Achilles injury is a major setback for the Indiana Pacers, and it’s got fans buzzing.
Wiseman’s Unfortunate Injury
So, picture this: It’s the Pacers’ season opener against the Pistons, and everyone’s hyped. Wiseman, who just inked a two-year deal with Indiana, is stepping up as the second-string center because Isaiah Jackson is out with a groin strain. But then, bam! Just four minutes and 38 seconds into the game, Wiseman goes down with a non-contact injury. He managed to score six points and snag a rebound before the unfortunate incident. The MRI confirmed the worstโa torn left Achilles. Now, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Contract Details and Future Moves
Let’s talk numbers for a sec. Wiseman’s deal with the Pacers is worth $4.78 million over two years, with a chunk of it not fully guaranteed until January 2025. There’s also a club option for the 2025-26 season, but if the Pacers want to trade him, they’ll have to wait until mid-December 2024. I think this injury might complicate things a bit for Indiana’s front office. What do you think?
Wiseman’s Journey So Far
Wiseman’s had quite the journey already. Drafted by the Warriors as the No. 2 pick in 2020, he found himself in Detroit after a four-team trade last year. He played a career-high 63 games with the Pistons, averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Remember that game against the Spurs where he dropped 21 points and grabbed 17 boards? That was something else! But now, the road to recovery begins, and it’s gonna be a long one. Achilles injuries typically mean a six-month hiatus, and if surgery’s needed, it could stretch to a year. Yikes.
Check out the Pacers’ tweet for more details:
James Wiseman suffered an injury to his left Achilles tendon last night at Detroit.
An MRI taken earlier today confirmed that Wiseman tore his left Achilles tendon, and the team and Wiseman are working together to evaluate treatment options.
Learn more:
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers)
What’s Next for the Pacers?
With Wiseman out, the Pacers will have to shuffle their lineup. Myles Turner will likely see more minutes, and once Jackson’s back, he’ll need to step up big time. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor? Anyway, the Pacers have some decisions to make, and it’ll be interesting to see how they navigate this early-season curveball.
So, what do you think? Can the Pacers bounce back from this, or is it gonna be a long season in Indiana?
