Isaiah Jackson tears Achilles, ready for season

Against the New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers reserve forward/center Isaiah Jackson suffered a terrifying non-contact injury that was eerily similar to what happened to his teammate James Wiseman earlier this season. Head coach Rick Carlisle seemed to fear the worst in his postgame presser after the Pelicans’ 125-118 win Friday night.

Losing Jackson and Wiseman in quick succession could be disastrous for the team’s depth. Now it appears that backup big man Jalen Smith – who can score on face-up takes around the basket as well as from deep, while being a solid rebounder – could leave for Central Division rivals the Chicago Bulls on a three-year deal period of $27 million Free Agent contract was a big mistake.

Rick Carlisle on Isaiah’s right calf injury, his voice shaking.

“We don’t have a definitive prognosis about Isaiah’s situation. But it is an injury to the right lower leg. We hope this is not the worst news.”

Video of the non-contact injury, which appears to be another Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/2lSXmAVSkW

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) November 2, 2024

Now that appears to be true.

Inform sources ESPN’s Shams Charania that Jackson has torn his right Achilles tendon and will now be out for the rest of the season. He will undergo surgery on Monday to correct the condition.

In what will now be his final game of the year, Jackson got off to an encouraging start before being forced to leave for good. The 6-foot-1 pro scored six points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out one dime in 15:35.

The 22-year-old former Wildcat ends his season averaging 7.0 points on 60.9 percent field goal shooting and 50 percent foul line shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals.

Jackson was selected No. 22 overall out of Kentucky in the 2021 NBA Draft and has spent all four of his professional seasons with the Pacers to date. He is in the final season of his current rookie contract and will hit restricted free agency this summer. Now that his health has become a major question mark, one wonders if Indiana (or anyone else) will be interested in committing long-term money to Jackson.

It’s gotten to the point where the Pacers no longer have healthy bodies behind starting five Myles Turner. The versatile 3-and-D vet is a unique weapon in the modern NBA, but Indiana will now have to get creative to fill his absence. Presumably, backup power forward Obi Toppin will be brought in to play small ball for five minutes; starting power forward Pascal Siakam could also serve as a fast-breaking, undersized center in certain matchups.

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