Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Struggles in starting role
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Jackson finished with two points (0-2 FG, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds in nine minutes during Tuesday's 135-134 preseason win over the Timberwolves.
Jackson was given the starting nod, perhaps an indication that he will fill that role come Opening Night. He picked up three fouls in his first three minutes, contributing to the fact that he played just nine minutes in total. Meanwhile, Jay Huff logged 19 minutes off the bench, providing serviceable production on both ends of the floor. It appears as though the center rotation could be hard to nail down for fantasy managers, with Tony Bradley also in the mix.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Will play and start vs. Minnesota
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Jackson (Achilles) will be in the starting lineup during Tuesday's preseason game against the Timberwolves, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Jackson has been working his way back from tearing his Achilles tendon in November of the 2024-25 campaign. Although it's a tough injury to recover from and takes a long time to heal, he's clearly making strides to do so, playing as a starter in this preseason game.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Working with starting five
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Jackson (Achilles) has been working with the first unit in pick-up games, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Jackson tore his Achilles in early November last season, and there haven't been many updates on his progress. However, the fact that he's participating in pick-up games is encouraging, and it's looking possible that he'll be ready around Opening Night. Though Jackson has been working with the first unit, coach Rick Carlisle noted that he isn't committed to a starting center, giving praise to all of Jackson, Jay Huff, James Wiseman and Tony Bradley.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Agrees to contract with Pacers
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Jackson (Achilles) agreed to sign a three-year, $21 million contract with the Pacers on Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Indiana extended a qualifying offer to Jackson earlier this offseason, and the big man is now lined up to play his fifth season with the Pacers. Jackson suffered a torn Achilles in November of last season, which restricted him to eight games, but he'll have a chance to take on a more pronounced role when healthy in 2025-26 due to the departure of Myles Turner. Over his five regular-season appearances last year, Jackson averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 16.8 minutes per game.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Qualifying offer extended
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The Pacers extended a qualifying offer to Jackson (Achilles) for 2025-26 on Sunday, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Jackson is now set to enter restricted free agency this offseason after spending the past four years in Indiana. The big man suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in November and missed the remainder of the 2024-25 season. He appeared in just five regular-season outings (one start) last year, averaging 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks across 16.8 minutes per game.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Suffers torn Achilles
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Jackson suffered a torn Achilles during Friday's game against the Pelicans, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Jackson left during the fourth quarter of Friday's game with what was initially diagnosed as a right calf injury, but further tests have revealed a much more severe injury, and he will undergo surgery Monday, per Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com. Jackson was set to take on a larger role as the Pacers' top big man off the bench after James Wiseman tore his Achilles, but now Indiana will be without their top two backup centers for the rest of the year. With Myles Turner as the only healthy center left, the Pacers may have Obi Toppin play at the five at times or look to sign a free agent big man.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Won't return Friday
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Jackson won't return to Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right calf injury, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Jackson sustained the injury in the fourth quarter. He'll finish the contest with six points (3-3 FG, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds, an assist and a block in 16 minutes. Obi Toppin is a candidate for increased minutes in Jackson's absence.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Blocks four shots in loss
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Jackson ended with seven points (2-8 FG, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and four blocks over 22 minutes during Monday's 119-115 loss to the Magic.
Jackson is one of the best per-minute shot blockers in the NBA, and he showed what he can do Monday. Inconsistent playing time has plagued Jackson throughout his career, however. We'll see if coach Rick Carlisle will warm up to the idea of playing him more. For now, his opportunities may continue to be matchup-based or when starting center Myles Turner gets in foul trouble.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Gets green light vs. NY on Friday
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Coach Rick Carlisle said Jackson (groin) is available for Friday's game against the Knicks, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Jackson missed the club's Opening Night due to a right groin strain. However, the 22-year-old is expected to return to game action and serve as Myles Turner's primary backup with James Wiseman (Achilles) potentially out for the rest of the season.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Iffy for Friday
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Jackson (groin) is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks.
Jackson is dealing with a lingering right groin strain he sustained during training camp. The 22-year-old is expected to carry a significant role off the bench behind Myles Turner with James Wiseman out for the season due to a torn Achilles.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Considered day-to-day
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Jackson (groin) is questionable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Pistons and is considered day-to-day, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Jackson missed Thursday's preseason game versus the Hornets due to a groin issue and isn't quite past the injury yet. Based on his day-to-day label from coach Rick Carlisle, it's likely that Jackson will be back in action soon, even if he's sidelined for the regular-season opener.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Won't play against Charlotte
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Jackson is out for Thursday's preseason game versus the Hornets due to a groin injury, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Jackson will miss Indiana's preseason finale while dealing with a groin injury. His status for the Pacers' regular-season opener against the Pistons on Oct. 23 is uncertain.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Active Thursday
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Jackson (undisclosed) is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers.
Jackson missed the Pacers' preseason opener against the Hawks on Tuesday but will debut Thursday. He's expected to see minutes in the frontcourt and is competing with James Wiseman for the backup center role behind Myles Turner.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Ruled out for Tuesday
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During an appearance on The Wake Up Call, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jackson (undisclosed) won't play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Hawks.
Jackson has been limited in practice since Oct. 4, but the Pacers have yet to clarify what injury he's dealing with. Jackson's next chance to play is Thursday against the Cavaliers.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Limited in practice
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Jackson was limited in Friday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Jackson's status for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks is now in question. When healthy, Jackson is expected to serve as Indiana's backup center to Myles Turner.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Increased role Sunday
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Jackson registered 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes during Sunday's 121-89 win over New York in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Jackson played a substantial role Sunday in reaching double digits in points for the first time in the playoffs, as the Pacers easily accounted for the Knicks, leveling the series at 2-2. This was an ugly loss for New York, while Indiana fans had the time of their lives at the Knicks' expense. Given the grit and grind attitude in New York, expect to see a much-improved performance when the series continues Tuesday.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Officially cleared
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Jackson (hamstring) is available for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
As expected, Jackson, Jalen Smith (ankle) and Obi Toppin (ankle) are all available. Jackson has averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.3 minutes over his last eight appearances.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Iffy for Sunday
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Jackson (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Jackson remains day-to-day with his hamstring strain. Jalen Smith, who is currently the backup center in front of Jackson, is also questionable with a left ankle sprain.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Officially ruled out
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Jackson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
As expected, Jackson won't play due to a left hamstring strain. Jalen Smith should operate as the primary backup to Myles Turner. Jackson's last chance to suit up during the regular season will come Sunday versus Atlanta.
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Pacers' Isaiah Jackson: Unlikely to play
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Jackson (hamstring) remains questionable for Friday's game against Cleveland but is unlikely to play according to head coach Rick Carlisle, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Carlisle noted that Jackson may end up being officially active, but he doesn't think the center will ultimately see any action. The team should have official word closer to tipoff.
