The Pacers will begin the regular season much differently than last season. As many as four guys — three for sure — will miss time from the beginning as they tip-off the new season on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Forward David West will miss at least three games with a sprained right ankle, point guard George Hill is expected to miss at least three weeks with a left knee contusion, and Hill’s backup, C.J. Watson, is expected to miss at least two weeks with a bruised right foot.
The Pacers will be without these three key pieces as they usher in a new season this week.
Rodney Stuckey, who’s dealing with a sore foot, returned to the practice floor Monday but it hasn’t been decided whether he will suit up come opening night.
[Pacers depth chart for Week 1.]
Due to the injury bug, Roy Hibbert is the only starter currently available from last year’s squad that lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat for the second straight season.
(Don’t forget about Paul George, or Lance Stephenson’s exit.)
That’s 64.7 percent of their scoring, 55.3 percent of the rebounds, and 74.9 percent of the assists from last year’s team that posted a conference-best 56 wins.
Staggering numbers.
[See Also: Pacers very much a work in progress for opening night.]
The starters for the season opener?
Donald Sloan, C.J. Miles, Luis Scola, and Roy Hibbert — with the final spot to be determined. If Stuckey can go, look for either Solomon Hill or Chris Copeland to get the nod.
“We’ve just been getting used to each other, working on some things on offense and defense,” said Hibbert. “It’s a pretty quick group, myself excluded. The other four guys are pretty quick.”
The Pacers will be lacking their backbone (West), the floor general and a veteran who had an excellent offseason (G. Hill), and a steady backup who can knock down open shots (Watson).
“We’ve always trusted our depth,” head coach Frank Vogel said Monday. “We’ve got plenty of guys here to get the job done and that’s the plan.”
Donald Sloan, who’ll start at point guard on Wednesday, shared his thoughts: