Pacers have a busy slate, with four games in five nights this week.
The Pacers received a bit of good news Monday amidst their handful of injury problems. Guard Rodney Stuckey, who exited Saturday’s loss in Atlanta after just six minutes due to a tendon strain, is actually feeling better and will likely return to his 15-minute per game limitation.
Stuckey has been held to a minute limit because he has been nursing a sprained right foot. The strained tendon is in the same region of the ankle, but fortunately is not an aggravation of a previous injury. He did practice some on Monday, as Pacers head coach Frank Vogel wanted him to get some work in to then see how the ankle looked the following day. Stuckey is questionable for Tuesday’s game when the Milwaukee Bucks make their first visit of the season to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Like many fans, his first thought when it occurred was, “Oh no, not again!” As it turned out, Stuckey believes it was a good thing as it broke down scar tissue that was built up in the ankle. “It actually feels a lot looser, which is a good thing,” he added.
“We’re just taking it day by day, just seeing how I am reacting to it. I practiced for a little bit today, it felt fine, so we’ll see how I feel tomorrow morning.”
The Pacers really need for him to be available. Otherwise, Donald Sloan is the only true ball handler active because of injuries to first- and second-string point guards George Hill (left knee contusion) and C.J. Watson (sore right foot). Vogel said Monday that Hill is still a long ways away.
“I hate being injured,” Stuckey continued. “I hate not being out there competing with my teammates. It’s tough. At the same time, I got to be very cautious about my body, making sure I’m healing right. I think the injury was a good thing in my eyes. It actually helped me.”
Should Stuckey have to miss significant time this week — they play four games in five nights — the wings, like Solomon Hill and C.J. Miles, would then share in the responsibilities when Sloan is getting a breather on the bench.
“Our system is setup for 1, 2, and 3 to have interchangeability and all of our wings know the point guard spot,” said Vogel. “It’s not ideal, obviously, but they’re prepared to do it.”
Stuckey was the last player to leave the practice court on Monday. Watch below as he puts some shots up:
The swelling in West’s sprained right ankle looks considerably better, but he’s still in pain.
While Stuckey’s news is better than anticipated, the Pacers also said Monday that they would be without the services of starting power forward David West for at least another week. He was ruled out for the first three games while he managed the swelling of his right ankle sprain.
“He is still in pain walking so we’re going to list him as out this week, for the next four games, and then we’ll see where he’s at after that,” Vogel said of West, who isn’t required to speak to the media while he is out with an injury.
With a number of key players sidelined, the coaches have faced a number of tough questions. Do they have to dummy down the offense? Do they focus on the task at hand or the big picture? How quick do they rush guys backs? How deal with all of the moving parts?
“I still think there’s enough fluid parts out there that trying to maintain as stable as rotation as possible will help minimize all the change and some of those things,” Vogel said, “and allow our guys to get as comfortable as possible with each other.”
This week’s schedule has the Pacers hosting Milwaukee on Tuesday, in D.C. to play in the Wizards on Wednesday, up in Boston on Friday, and then returning home to take on the Wizards yet again.
Soliders Join In
The Pacers hosted about 50 servicemen and women to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday for brunch, an opportunity to watch practice and interact with the players. Once practice concluded, the players all went over to thank the soldiers, talk with them, take pictures, and sign autographs.
It’s all part of NBA’s “Hoops for Troops” program, a year-round initiative led by the league, its players and the Department of Defense, USO and other military and veteran serving organizations to honor active and retired service men and women and their families.
“It’s always neat when you meet a solider,” said coach Vogel. “These guys sacrifice so much for our country and our way of life. For them to be able to come in here, to me they’re always welcome.”
Pacers center Roy Hibbert invited soldiers down to the floor to get shoot, and even battle him one-on-one in the post.
Members of the U.S. Military watched the Pacers practice.
Thanks @PacersCares for the practice invite, the brunch and the meet and greet with the players! #hoopsfortroops pic.twitter.com/vldEnfSDRc
— Wish for Our Heroes (@Wish4RHeroes) November 3, 2014
Thank u @Hoya2aPacer and David West for spending time w/ out heroes after practice!Thank u @PacersCares 4 doing this! pic.twitter.com/7g4dayAJcY
— Wish for Our Heroes (@Wish4RHeroes) November 3, 2014