The Indiana Pacers’ backcourt took another gut punch this week, as veteran point guard T.J. McConnell has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for at least a month, head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed on Thursday. The news, which surfaced just days before the regular season opener, compounds the team’s ongoing point guard woes following Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles tear in last June’s NBA Finals.
McConnell, 33, suffered the left hamstring strain during the second quarter of the Pacers’ preseason opener on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. He had notched seven points and three assists in just over eight minutes off the bench, showcasing the pesky, high-energy style that has made him a fan favorite and a key rotational piece for Indiana. The team announced at the time that he would not return, initially listing it as a “sore left hamstring,” but further evaluation revealed the more serious timeline. The Pacers went on to win the game 112-98, but the victory was overshadowed by the injury, along with teammate Delon Wright’s head injury that same night.
“It’s disappointing, obviously, but it’s not as bad as it could have been,” Carlisle told reporters after Thursday’s practice, striking a note of cautious optimism. “T.J.’s a warrior. We’ll get him back as soon as we can, but we have to adapt in the meantime.” If McConnell returns on the early side of his timeline—potentially around November 9—he’ll still miss the Pacers’ first nine games, including a grueling four-game Western Conference road swing against the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns.
### A Double Blow to the Backcourt
This injury hits especially hard for a Pacers squad already navigating life without Haliburton, the All-Star floor general who tore his Achilles in the first quarter of Game 7 of the 2025 Finals against the Boston Celtics. Haliburton’s absence leaves a massive void in playmaking and scoring, with the team relying on Andrew Nembhard to slide into the starting role. McConnell, long pegged as the ideal backup with his relentless defense, crafty passing, and ability to ignite second units, was expected to shoulder even more responsibility this season.
Last year, McConnell appeared in 79 games (all off the bench), averaging 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and a team-high 4.4 assists per game while shooting an efficient 51.9% from the field. His impact extended beyond the box score: He led the entire NBA in bench assists with 348 during the regular season and topped all reserves in playoff assists with 93, helping propel Indiana to their first Finals appearance since 2000. Known for his undrafted grit—McConnell went from Arizona’s walk-on to a cult hero in Philadelphia before thriving in Indy—his energy is the kind of intangible that Carlisle’s up-tempo system thrives on.
Adding to the chaos, the Pacers waived Wright on Thursday after his head injury in the same preseason game, clearing the way for veteran point guard Cam Payne to join on a training camp contract. Payne, 31, brings championship experience from his 2021 title run with the Milwaukee Bucks and familiarity with high-pressure environments, having suited up against the Pacers as recently as last February. Rookie backcourt options like Quenton Jackson and RayJ Dennis, both on two-way deals, could see expanded preseason minutes, as could wings like Johnny Furphy and Ben Sheppard stepping into ball-handling duties.
The Pacers had eyed Monte Morris as a third-string option earlier in the offseason, but that pursuit fizzled when Morris suffered his own calf strain. Now, with rookie Kam Jones also sidelined for several weeks due to a back issue, Indiana’s depth is stretched thin heading into a season where Carlisle aims to build on last year’s Eastern Conference crown.
### Looking Ahead: Adaptation Mode Activated
As the Pacers tip off the 2025-26 campaign on October 22 against the Detroit Pistons at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, expect Nembhard to anchor the starting lineup alongside Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam in a more guard-heavy configuration. Payne’s addition provides a steady hand for spot minutes, but Carlisle emphasized internal growth: “We’ve got guys who can step up. Andrew’s ready, Ben’s versatile, and we’ve got shooting around them.”
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) echoed the sentiment of resilience, with one Pacers supporter posting, “T.J.’s heart is irreplaceable, but this team’s deeper than ever. Boom Baby anyway.” The official Pacers account broke the initial injury news on Wednesday, drawing over 66,000 views and a wave of supportive replies.
For McConnell, rehab will be a grind, but his track record suggests a full recovery. Hamstring strains can be tricky for veterans, yet Carlisle’s update implies no tears or structural damage—just time and tape. As Indiana eyes another deep playoff run, this early adversity could forge the kind of toughness that defined their 2025 surge.
The Pacers host their final preseason tune-up Saturday against the Chicago Bulls before the real games begin. In a league where momentum is king, Indiana will need every ounce of it to weather this storm.
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