T.J. McConnell Injury Update
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle shared positive news on veteran point guard T.J. McConnell, who has been out since early October with a left hamstring strain.
Recovery Progress
McConnell, 33, injured his left hamstring on October 7 during the preseason opener and was initially expected to miss at least a month. Carlisle reported that McConnell is steadily increasing his workouts and getting closer to a return.
“I know he had a workout today. I hadn’t heard how that went, but I heard he’s been ramping up pretty steadily,” Carlisle said on Sunday, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Team Impact and Other Injuries
The Pacers' backcourt depth has been tested this season. Rookie guard Kam Jones, the 38th pick in this year’s draft, has also been sidelined since early October with a lower back stress reaction.
Carlisle noted that Jones is improving but emphasized “his return is not imminent,” indicating a cautious approach.
Team Performance
The Pacers, last year’s Eastern Conference champions, have struggled so far this season with a 1–8 record.
Summary
T.J. McConnell is progressing well in his hamstring recovery, while the Pacers remain cautious with other injured players amid a challenging season.
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