Braden

Smith

After starting the Pacers’ last four games, rookie Braden Smith has been moved to the bench. Oubre will move into the starting lineup as the Pacers continue without the injured Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring).

The Pacers have been without Haliburton since he strained his hamstring during an October 26 game against the Bucks. While Carlisle said the Pacers’ point guard is improving, he told the assembled media to check back in another 10 days or so. Braden Smith has moved into the starting point guard role but has not played enough to merit being streamed in most redraft leagues.

Oubre did not play in Wednesday’s win over the Grizzlies, the second straight game he’s missed. Braden Smith started alongside Andrew Nembhard and played 23 minutes. The rookie may take on a similar workload if Oubre remains out on Saturday.

Rookie Braden Smith is getting his second career start after playing well last game. The rest of the Pacers lineup is what you would expect without Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac is back in the lineup for Jay Huff.

Nembhard is back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Hawks. Braden Smith, who dished out 10 assists, isn’t guaranteed to be active given his two-way contract status.

The Pacers only had six healthy players for this game, so everyone that was available played a ton of minutes. That allowed Smith to make the first start of his career, and he took full advantage. Most second-round picks don’t record double-doubles in their first starts, but the special circumstances allowed college basketball’s total assist leader from last season to do just that. Smith is a high-level passer, but he won’t be part of the Pacers’ rotation when the team is healthy. Depending on the injury report ahead of Wednesday’s game, he could end up starting again.

Between actual injuries and injury-management situations, the Pacers will have eight active players on Monday. And one, Obi Toppin (back), is active only to meet the eight-player minimum; he won’t play. So Smith, the NCAA’s all-time assist leader, will start at point guard. If the other available Pacers can knock down some shots, it would be unsurprising if Smith hit double figures in assists.

Haliburton was already questionable for Wednesday’s game, but he won’t be available for it. There is no clarity to this timeline currently, so hopefully head coach Rick Carlisle will provide more either before or after their game against the 76ers. Andrew Nembhard (neck) is questionable, and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) hasn’t played this season. Nembhard will likely be the starting point guard until Haliburton returns, with Quenton Jackson as the next man up. Rookie Braden Smith could also be part of the rotation if Indiana ends up truly shorthanded.

For the deal to be finalized, Thompson’s departure frees up a two-way contract for the Pacers. That gives the team, which is hard-capped at the first apron, another possible avenue to sign second-round pick Braden Smith. While he could also be signed to a deal paying the rookie minimum, Smith on a two-way deal would give the Pacers a little more financial flexibility.

While Smith had a rough shooting day, missing all four of his three-point attempts, the rookie guard did a good job running the team in Indiana’s 94-93 defeat. Smith committed just two turnovers in his 27 minutes while recording a team-high nine assists. The Pacers don’t have an open two-way contract, so Smith is likely competing for an Exhibit 10 deal unless the front office waives someone.