The Indiana Pacers blew a 20-point lead in a game against the Celtics. It was a game that Indiana should have won, but they weren’t able to close it out. Instead, the Pacers stayed with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference standings.
During the course of the game, Celtics center Neemias Queta hit Isaiah Jackson in the head while fighting for a rebound. That hit caused Jackson to be removed from the game and eventually ruled out. Without Jackson, the Pacers had to play James Wiseman as the backup center.
Carlisle was not happy with that play during the course of the game. The play happened in the first quarter, and it changed the substitution patterns. After the game, Carlisle made his feelings abundantly clear about how it was handled.
GettyIndiana Pacers center Isaiah Jackson reacts to a call.(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Rick Carlisle Calls for the NBA to Look at Hit on Isaiah Jackson
Following the game, Carlisle called on the NBA to look at the play. It’s unclear if the NBA will actually take a look at it. It looked like a mostly normal basketball play until the very end, when Queta swung his elbow into Jackson’s head. That might be what Carlisle wants looked at.
That play happened well before the Pacers took a 20-point lead, so this game was not decided by that action. Jackson hasn’t been a very good contributor for the team this year, either. He fouls at an alarming rate, averaging three fouls per game in just under 19 minutes of playing time.
Jackson has the worst defensive rating of his career because of that. His net rating is the worst of his career, too. Still, this blow to the head took him out of the game and could keep him out of future contests. The Pacers are already without Tony Bradley because of a thumb injury.
GettyIndiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell drives the ball. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Injuries Continue to Plague the Pacers
The Pacers have been affected by injuries more than any other team in the NBA. They still have a couple of players whom they signed due to having disabled player exceptions. The team was without Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin for this game.
McConnell missed the game due to a knee injury. Toppin is still out until February because of a stress fracture in his foot. Haliburton is out for the entire year because of a torn Achilles. Quenton Jackson and Johnny Furphy just returned from hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively.
These injuries have crushed the Pacers’ chances of making the playoffs and making another improbable run to the NBA Finals. Without their main contributors, Indiana is likely going to end up getting a top-five pick in what should be a loaded NBA Draft.
Carlisle is trying his best to coach around the injuries, but even he can’t turn this squad into a winning one without the proper players available on a nightly basis.
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