The Indiana Pacers’ frontcourt depth has taken a massive hit, as James Wiseman is out for the rest of the 2024-25 NBA campaign due to a torn Achilles he sustained in their opening-day 115-109 win against the Detroit Pistons.
The No. 2 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft left Wednesday’s game after sustaining the non-contract injury following a missed three-point attempt at the top of the key with 1:15 left in the first period.
Wiseman limped off the floor and was accompanied by his teammate Obi Toppin. He immediately went to the locker room, and the Indiana Pacers called it a night for him.
James Wiseman joined the Indiana Pacers this offseason by signing a two-year, $4.78 million contract after spending the last season-plus with the Detroit Pistons. Before that, he spent the first three years of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors.
He only made 39 regular season appearances (27 starts) during his rookie year, as he was limited by knee and wrist injuries. James Wiseman sat out the entire 2021-22 season with a torn meniscus when the Golden State Warriors won their fourth NBA title in seven seasons.
The Memphis Memphis big man is coming off his healthiest campaign in 2023-24 with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds on 61.3 percent shooting from the field in 63 regular season appearances (six starts).
A look at the updated Indiana Pacers depth chart
With James Wiseman sidelined indefinitely, the Indiana Pacers will turn to Isaiah Jackson as their backup center behind Myles Turner.
Jackson didn’t play against the Detroit Pistons due to a strained groin, so Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam had to play more frontcourt minutes as usual.
Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam led the way with 20 and 19 points, respectively, with the latter flirting with a triple-double. Bennedict Mathurin also played a key role in the victory, notching 19 points and six rebounds off the bench.