Ben

Sheppard

Jackson exited early from Wednesday’s game, which limited him to just six minutes. He has been playing larger reserve role recently, so if he remains out for this game, Ben Sheppard should see a bump in minutes.

The Pacers won’t have Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith or Pascal Siakam for Saturday’s game, opening three spots in the starting lineup. Jackson, Sheppard and Walker will fill the resulting voids, and they’re worth a roll of the dice given the team’s injuries.

Nesmith is one of the key Pacers that will get the night off after they won the first leg of this back-to-back. Ben Sheppard should replace him in the starting lineup for this game.

Added to the Pacers’ injury report Thursday afternoon, Nembhard is officially out after going through his pregame routine. Ben Sheppard was inserted into the starting lineup the last time Nembhard missed a game, but T.J. McConnell is the superior fantasy option despite coming off the bench.

While a sprained right thumb was the listed reason for Mathurin’s absence, that isn’t the only injury that he’s dealing with. According to Pacers insider Scott Agness, the wing is also dealing with turf toe. Given where the Pacers are in the standings, there isn’t much reason for Mathurin to rush back. Johnny Furphy, who moved into the starting lineup, and Ben Sheppard are players for deep-league managers to track in Mathurin’s absence.

Mathurin injured his right (shooting) thumb during Friday’s loss to the Spurs, playing 20 minutes as a result. He’ll miss at least one complete game with the injury, leaving the already shorthanded Pacers down one of their better scorers. While Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy could play more in Mathurin’s absence, this could also be viewed as an opportunity to get rookie Kam Jones more minutes.

Both players are expected to handle their normal workloads off the bench, which means less run for Quenton Jackson and Kam Jones.

Sheppard, who was also questionable ahead of Monday’s loss to the Rockets, has not appeared in a game since December 3. His availability does not affect fantasy basketball, but Sheppard would give the Pacers added perimeter depth if he can play.

McConnell sat out Saturday against Boston, but he’ll be back in action following a one-game absence. Sheppard hasn’t played since December 3, and with him out for another contest, McConnell could earn some additional playing time off the bench.

Sheppard has been out since December 3 with a strained left calf. While his return would give the Pacers additional depth on the perimeter, the third-year wing is unlikely to put up the numbers needed to affect fantasy basketball.