Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly "moving toward a substantial rebuild and are expected to open up trade conversations around some of their veteran stalwarts" amid a disappointing 10-16 start, according to Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz of The Athletic. 

Those talks are reportedly centered on veteran guard Caris LeVert and either one of their two star centers, Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner. Malcolm Brogdon, already signed to a two-year extension, isn't eligible to be dealt this season.  

Per that report, "all three players have frequently garnered significant interest from rival teams."

The Pacers will reportedly attempt a soft rebuild through the draft and trades and want to give more playing time to rookies Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson.

The former has been superb, averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 34.6 percent from three. The latter has appeared in just five games because of a hyperextended left knee, though clearing out some veterans would open more avenues to playing time in the future.  

Sabonis will likely be the headliner on the trade market. The 25-year-old is a two-time All-Star, though he's averaging a modest 17.9 points per game to go along with averages of 12.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The question in Indiana has long been whether he and Turner could play together at a high level for the team. 

Given the start to the season, it would appear the answer is no. 

Turner, also 25, is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and an impressive 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 39.5 percent from the field. In many ways, he's the antithesis of Sabonis as an effective rim-protector with the ability to stretch the floor on the offensive end. Sabonis, meanwhile, averages 0.3 blocks per game and is shooting 27.9 percent from three but terrific on the boards and in the low post. 

As for LeVert, the 27-year-old has struggled through injuries but has been very good when healthy. Like many of the Pacers, he is having something of a down year, averaging 14.9 points per game, his lowest tally since the 2018-19 season. He's also shooting just 25.9 percent from three.

The trade rumors come amid a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that backup point guard T.J. McConnell might be done for the season after having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right hand on Tuesday.

Indiana Pacers star center Myles Turner will miss Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a non-COVID-19 illness.

It will mark the first game he will miss this season.

Turner is among the most promising big men in the NBA, and he has produced to the tune of 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and a league-high 2.8 blocks per game so far this season.

That production comes on the heels of averaging 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and a career-high 3.4 blocks per game last season.

After leading the NBA in blocks with 2.7 per game in 2018-19, Turner followed it up with 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 2019-20.

The No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft out of Texas hasn't progressed as much as hoped over the past few years, but he has been a key part of a team that is always in the playoff mix.

After being named to the 2015-16 All-Rookie Team, Turner took a huge step forward the following season by averaging 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Turner's sophomore campaign in the NBA was that he appeared in 81 of 82 regular-season games after missing 22 contests as a rookie.

Turner missed 17 contests the following season, however, and had to sit out eight games in 2018-19. He also missed 11 games last season.

With Indiana attempting to keep pace with the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Turner is a hugely important player, especially on the defensive end.

The Pacers don't have another player of his ilk, but they do have some solid interior depth with Goga Bitadze in line to receive more playing time alongside Domantas Sabonis with Turner out..

Although Indiana has its share of young talent, it will be a far easier team to contend with for as long as Turner is on the shelf.

The Indiana Pacers fans who made inappropriate comments to LeBron James during the Los Angeles Lakers' trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday will reportedly have the opportunity to go to future games.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the two fans are not expected to receive lifetime bans or face any additional consequences.

"The fans were ejected for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct," NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said.

James pointed the fans out to officials during the game, and they were eventually ejected.

"When obscene gestures and language come into it, can't be tolerated," the King told reporters after the game.

James was dominant on the court with 39 points, six assists, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal behind 13-of-29 shooting from the field and 5-of-12 shooting from three-point range. The victory improved the Lakers to 10-10, and they have since dropped to 10-11 thanks to a triple-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Back-to-back overtime games means additional minutes for the 36-year-old James as the Purple and Gold look to overcome last season's first-round exit with a deeper playoff run.

He made sure the Pacers game didn't reach three overtimes by draining two shots from beyond the arc and hitting a mid-range jumper as he took over in the extra period and sent the rest of the fans who weren't ejected home unhappy.

That was the Lakers' only trip to Indiana this season, so fans won't have to worry about seeing James again unless there is an unlikely NBA Finals matchup.                 

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James showered praise on Indiana Pacers rookie guard Chris Duarte following L.A.'s 124-116 overtime win over Indiana on Wednesday.

James called Duarte a player "beyond his years" when asked about his performance after the game (beginning at the 6:20 mark):

LeBron also said that when the Lakers worked Duarte out before the 2021 NBA draft, he "didn't miss a shot." Among the superlatives James used to describe Duarte were "big time" and "very poised."

After starring collegiately at Oregon, Duarte was the No. 13 pick in the draft by Indiana. That selection has paid dividends thus far, as the 24-year-old is averaging 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 three-pointers made this season.

On the heels of scoring single-digit points in four consecutive games, Duarte broke out of his slump Wednesday, finishing with 17 points along with three rebounds, one assist and one block.

James said he knew the Lakers had no chance of landing him with the No. 22 pick once he saw him work out with L.A.

Since Duarte was off the board, Los Angeles had to settle for Kentucky forward Isaiah Jackson, who was traded to Indiana as part of a five-team trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Lakers.

Duarte figures to be a big part of the future of a Pacers team that is going through some growing pains currently with an 8-12 record.

Meanwhile, LeBron got the Lakers back on track with a win Wednesday, evening their record at 10-10.

Nothing has come easy for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Everything gets a bit easier with LeBron James in the lineup, though. 

With James returning from suspension but Anthony Davis missing Wednesday night's contest because of flu-like symptoms, the Lakers knocked off the Indiana Pacers 124-116 in overtime.

The Lakers didn't so much as hold a lead in this game until the 4:30 mark of the fourth quarter, but James took over late, scoring seven of the team's final nine points in regulation and eight of its 12 points in overtime. 

#LakeShow swarming down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/akdvAEGiXg

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021

Bron's making things happen. pic.twitter.com/3imQaXTwVx

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 25, 2021

Bron with the off-balance and-1 😤 pic.twitter.com/qBFWieCAaG

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021

It looked as though the Lakers were going to win in regulation, only for Chris Duarte to hit an absolute miracle three to tie things up with seconds remaining:

HOW!? Chris Duarte sinks the tough triple to FORCE OT in Indiana! #NBARooks

Overtime coming up on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/V0kkYEEIkG pic.twitter.com/KaxeWP9qEn

— NBA (@NBA) November 25, 2021

DUARTE WHAT?!!!!!!!!

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 25, 2021

James had the chance to win it in regulation but missed a deep three-point attempt. No matter—he handled his business in overtime. 

King in the clutch. 🤴 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/i0eYKhN1D3

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021

The win moved the Lakers back to .500 on the year (10-10), while the Pacers fell to 8-12.

Davis first experienced flu-like symptoms before Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks, though he was able to play. But with the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back, Davis wasn't able to give it a go Wednesday. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel told reporters Davis was "in bed all day with that fever."

"He's been in every game, and it's a different challenge for us obviously with what he does on both sides of the ball, and this is a big team that we're playing against, so we will definitely miss his size and length inside," he added. "We just have to adjust. We've been putting guys in and out of the lineup all year, so it's no different for us tonight."

For much of the game, the Lakers didn't seem to make the necessary adjustments. But James, as he's done for his teams so much in the past, bailed them out down the stretch. They call him the King for a reason.

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Key Stats

LeBron James, LAL: 39 points, six assists

Russell Westbrook, LAL: 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists

Carmelo Anthony, LAL: 14 points

Domantas Sabonis, IND: 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists

Chris Duarte, IND: 17 points

Malcolm Brogdon, IND: 28 points, 5-of-10 from three

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LeBron Was Excellent in His Return

The Lakers needed a big night from James with AD unavailable, and he rose to the occasion.

This @KingJames celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/lCC1cmEcPh

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021

LeBron preparing the huevos ahead of Thanksgiving.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 25, 2021

LeBron reminded of who he is tonight. Understandably he doesn’t want to have to hit that gear night after night

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) November 25, 2021

Masterclass stuff from LeBron tonight.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 25, 2021

The Lakers needed every last point and assist, with Westbrook struggling from the field (5-of-15 from the field) and turning the ball over four times. The rest of the starting lineup wasn't much better. Luckily, Anthony and the bench contributed 53 bench points.

But in closing time, it was the LeBron show. It was another reminder of how much the awkwardly constructed Lakers will rely on James this season. He rescued the Lakers from a road game they very easily could have dropped. 

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Malcolm Brogdon Was Feeling it from Deep

The Pacers played a solid, balanced game Wednesday, but Brogdon's red-hot shooting from beyond the arc buried the Lakers. 

BIG bucket from Brogdon.

Stream: https://t.co/wssEtE5l7g#GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/b7tmUAPUEd

— FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (@FanDuelSN_IND) November 25, 2021

#Pacers take a double digit lead on a Brogdon's fourth three-pointer of the game.

Stream: https://t.co/wssEtE5l7g#GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/YxSv7lb0Hq

— FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (@FanDuelSN_IND) November 25, 2021

The Pacers got off to a brutal start this season, going 1-6 out of the gate. But they're 7-6 since and have won two of three, an indicator that perhaps this group is starting to figure things out. 

This is a team that doesn't have a true superstar but has plenty of very good players. Brogdon has been their best player thus far, a trend that continued Wednesday. 

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What's Next?

Both teams are back in action Friday. The Pacers will host the Toronto Raptors at 8 p.m. ET, while the Lakers will host the Sacramento Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, forward Joe Ingles, guard Donovan Mitchell and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner have been fined following an altercation during Thursday's game at Vivint Arena, the NBA announced Friday. 

Gobert was fined $35,000, Ingles $30,000, Turner $25,000 and Mitchell $20,000.

The altercation began when Turner blocked Gobert's shot with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of a 111-100 Pacers win. As Gobert fell to the court, he appeared to grab Turner's shorts, which caused him to fall. 

Turner then chased down Gobert and shoved him, and he charged back at Turner. Members of both teams got involved as Gobert and Turner had to be separated. 

Things got heated between Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert after Turner blocked Gobert's shot. pic.twitter.com/O34Z7gckwC

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 12, 2021

After officials reviewed the altercation, both Gobert and Turner received technical fouls and were ejected. Ingles, who appeared to shove an official during the altercation, and Mitchell, who also appeared to make contact with an official, were also tossed from the game.

Gobert addressed the situation after the loss, telling reporters: "Twenty years ago, they would let you fight a little more. I can't put myself in a position where I'm hurting my team. I've got more to lose. I've gotta stand up for myself, but I'm not going to get suspended."

Mitchell, however, expressed more frustration with the officials, telling reporters the referees should've taken control of the game earlier:

"That shouldn't have happened. It isn't nothing else, just built-up frustration. I'm not going to put the fact that we lost the game on this. ... That should have been taken care of in the first half. We're being held accountable for our actions, they've got to as well." 

The incident occurred just two days after Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic was suspended for one game for "forcefully shoving" Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris on Monday. Morris also received a $50,000 fine. 

Thursday's loss dropped the Jazz to 8-4 on the season, while the Pacers moved to 5-8.  

A tussle between Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner led to four players being ejected Thursday evening.

Gobert and Myles Turner got into it 😳 https://t.co/M9Rkb6IwYz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 12, 2021

Gobert and Turner got into it underneath the Pacers' basket in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena.

Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz were also ejected. Ingles got in Turner's face and made contact with an official, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.

An animated Mitchell had to be held back by security and officials in the scrum that followed.

Gobert and Myles Turner get into a legit scuffle with no punches thrown. Mitchell is going at someone. Teams separated. This is just frustration from the Jazz…..tough day and night for them as a team

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) November 12, 2021

Per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder also had to be restrained by security during referee Ed Malloy's review.

The television broadcast initially cut away from the first part of the Turner-Gobert fight as the game action moved to the other end, but Rob Perez of Underdog Fantasy and Michael Gallagher of Establish the Run both showed clips of how the fracas unfolded.

Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune provided more insight:

Rudy Gobert and Myles Turner going at it. Pacers bench was incensed that Rudy took Turner down, Turner came up with a shove. Rudy starts a wrestling match. Big scrum ensues.

— tribjazz (@tribjazz) November 12, 2021

Indiana ended up winning 111-100 behind Malcolm Brogdon's 30 points.

The Indiana Pacers are rewarding one of their stars with a new deal.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $45 million. The new deal reportedly guarantees Brogdon $89.3 million over the next four years.

Entering his sixth NBA season since being drafted out of Virginia in the second round of the 2016 draft, Brogdon has emerged as a star for the Pacers. He averaged career highs in points (21.2), rebounds (5.3) and minutes (34.5) in 56 games during the 2020-21 season.

Brogdon started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2017, becoming the first second-round pick ever to win the award. He was also the eighth player in NBA history ever to achieve a 50-40-90 season, accomplishing the feat in 2019.

Following that season, Indiana acquired him via a sign-and-trade.

Brogdon is also known for his endeavors off of the court. In 2018, he established Hoops2O, a nonprofit organization with the mission to "leverage the NBA platform to unite fans and players with a goal of raising funds and awareness to provide clean water to East African communities in desperate need."

Alongside fellow NBA players Joe Harris, Justin Anderson, Anthony Tolliver and Garrett Temple, Brogdon has helped raise over $400,000. Hoops2O has also funded the construction of 10 wells in Tanzania and Kenya.

The Pacers open their season Wednesday in a road game against the Charlotte Hornets. Along with All-Star power forward Domantas Sabonis, Brogdon will look to help lead Indiana back to the playoffs after losing in last year's play-in tournament.     

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Caris LeVert was reportedly diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back that could cause him to miss the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday the Pacers, who open the regular season Oct. 20 with a road game against the Charlotte Hornets, have "optimism that it could only be a minor setback" that doesn't force LeVert to miss too much time.

Indiana acquired the 27-year-old University of Michigan product in January as part of a four-team trade headlined by James Harden heading to the Brooklyn Nets.

An MRI as part of the medical review to complete the trade revealed a small mass on his left kidney. He underwent surgery to treat the renal cell carcinoma.

LeVert returned to action in mid-March and played well for the Pacers down the stretch. He averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 35 appearances. He ranked 21st among shooting guards in ESPN's real-plus minus for the 2020-21 season.

The 6'6'', 205-pound Ohio native said Monday he worked throughout the summer to get himself back to peak physical condition after the surgery hindered his endurance last season.

"I tried to get my conditioning back," LeVert told reporters. "With the surgery that I had last year, it was tough for me late in games to feel like myself, especially in the fourth quarter."

Jeremy Lamb should enter the starting lineup alongside Malcolm Brogdon for the time being. It could also lead to more minutes for T.J. McConnell and Chris Duarte as part of the backcourt rotation.

The Pacers will also be without starting small forward T.J. Warren because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Head coach Rick Carlisle, starting his second stint with the organization, said they're hopeful he'll be out for "weeks and not months."

In turn, Indiana, which finished 34-38 last season, may have to tread water in the standings for the initial stages of the regular season until it can get back to full strength.

The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday that forward T.J. Warren is out indefinitely due to a stress fracture in his left foot that cost him all but four games last season.

"Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren’s stress fracture in his left foot is healing during the rehabilitation process; but not at the pace previously anticipated," the statement read.

"He remains out indefinitely, and further updates will be provided as warranted."

Warren led the Pacers in scoring during the 2019-20 season, averaging 19.8 points per game for a team that finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

The forward dealt with right foot plantar fasciitis during the 2020-21 preseason but was able to return in time for the regular-season opener. He played the first four games of the season and averaged 15.5 points on 52.9 percent shooting.

However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Dec. 31, 2020 that Warren would undergo surgery for the aforementioned stress fracture and be out indefinitely. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season March 25.

The Warren announcement is a concerning development for a Pacers team looking to bounce back from a disappointing season that ended with them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They went just 34-38 as injuries took a toll on the roster.

After the season, head coach Nate Bjorkgren was relieved of his duties, and Rick Carlisle has since taken over to begin his second stint as the Pacers' leader.

Carlisle has enjoyed plenty of success over 20 years as a head coach for the Detroit Pistons, Pacers and Dallas Mavericks, but potentially losing Warren is a blow for the Pacers, who open the regular season on Oct. 20 against the Charlotte Hornets.

If Warren misses the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign, look for Justin Holiday to start at small forward. The 32-year-old wing started 52 of 72 games for the Pacers last year, averaging 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.