BEN SHEPPARD NEWS

Pacers HC Rick Carlisle Provides Major Injury Update on Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard The Indiana Pacers are off to a disappointing 10-15 season start, good enough for the No. 9 seed in the lowly Eastern Conference. It's a bum...

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • SI.COM

Slated to miss multiple weeks Coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday that Sheppard (oblique) will miss multiple weeks, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact An MRI showed Sheppard's injury is worse than initially anticipated, so he'll join Andrew Nembhard (knee) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) on the long-term injury list. Quenton Jackson has been the next man up, while Bennedict Mathurin continues to excel as a starter. Sheppard will likely be evaluated again around Christmas.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another absence coming Sheppard (oblique) is out for Sunday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Sheppard will miss a fourth consecutive contest with this oblique injury, and there's no timetable for when he'll return to the court. Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson will continue to see more time at the small forward role, as the Pacers remain very depleted in terms of their wing depth. Sheppard's next chance to play will come against the Pelicans on Monday in the second half of a back-to-back set.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined once again Sheppard (oblique) is out for Friday's game against the Bucks, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Impact Sheppard is set to miss a third straight contest with this oblique injury, and while the questionable tag prior to the game shows progress, he's still not ready to return to the hardwood. Expect Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson to see bigger roles with Sheppard out in a thin wing rotation for Indiana.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Sheppard (oblique) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Sheppard has missed the last two games for the Pacers, and while the questionable tag is encouraging, he could end up missing a third straight contest. If that's the case, then Jarace Walker (illness) and Quenton Jackson would be in line for bigger roles in Indiana's depleted wing rotation.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Wednesday Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Houston, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.

Impact Sheppard has been a consistent shooter for the Pacers this season, connecting on 40.4 percent of 3.6 threes per game. In his absence, Bennedict Mathurin will continue being tasked with a big workload, while Jarace Walker and Quenton Jackson are candidates for enlarged roles.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Wednesday Sheppard (oblique) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Rockets.

Impact The 23-year-old guard missed Monday's loss to the Raptors due to a left oblique strain, though coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that he does not expect the injury to turn into a long-term absence, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. If Sheppard is unable to return Wednesday, Jarace Walker, Quenton Jackson and T.J. McConnell could see an uptick in playing time.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to avoid lengthy absence Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Sheppard (oblique) could be available to return to action Wednesday against the Rockets, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact Sheppard missed Monday's 130-119 loss to the Raptors with a left oblique strain, and though injuries of this sort can often lead to multi-week absences, Carlisle said that the second-year wing's oblique issue isn't particularly serious. While Carlisle wasn't willing to formally commit to Sheppard being ready to play Wednesday, the coach suggested that the 23-year-old is a good bet to return to the lineup no later than Friday (at Milwaukee) or Sunday (vs. Washington). Jarace Walker moved up to the top unit Monday as a replacement for Sheppard, who had started in each of Indiana's preceding five contests and averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 three-pointers and 0.8 steals in 27.0 minutes.

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Toronto Sheppard (oblique) won't play against the Raptors on Monday, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.

Impact Sheppard suffered a left oblique strain Sunday against the Heat and was unable to return. In the meantime, T.J. McConnell and Quenton Jackson are candidates to see increased reps for the Pacers.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return vs. Miami Sheppard has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Heat due to a left oblique strain, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.

Impact Sheppard strained his left oblique during the third quarter of Sunday's game, and he'll finish with three points, three rebounds, one assist and one block over 26 minutes. T.J. McConnell and Quenton Jackson are in line to see more minutes off the bench in Sheppard's absence. Given the Pacers' upcoming schedule, Sheppard is in danger of being sidelined for the second leg of a back-to-back against the Raptors on Monday.

NOVEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will start in Charlotte Sheppard will get the start in Friday's matchup with the Hornets.

Impact With Andrew Nembhard (knee) getting the late scratch, Sheppard will start at shooting guard. The 24-year-old has averaged 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists across 26.7 minutes in seven starts this season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Carlisle Encouraged By 'Very Consistent' Ben Sheppard Sheppard played a big role off the bench in the Pacers’ loss to the Pelicans.

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Goes for 20 points in loss Sheppard totaled 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-11 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes during Friday's 125-118 loss to the Pelicans.

Impact Sheppard stepped up in the loss, scoring a career-high 20 points including six triples. With Andrew Nembhard (knee) sidelined and Aaron Nesmith going down with an ankle injury, Sheppard was afforded additional playing time. While this is certainly a noteworthy performance, it appears as though he would need both players to continue missing time to have a shot at playing anywhere near 30 minutes.

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pacers exercise option The Pacers have exercised the third-year option on Sheppard's contract Friday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Impact This means the guard, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Pacers, will remain under contract with the franchise until the end of the 2025-26 season. This move shouldn't make much of an impact from a fantasy perspective, though, as Sheppard is a backup alternative in the backcourt and doesn't have a clear path to earning regular minutes. He averaged 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game across 57 regular-season appearances as a rookie in 2023-24,

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pacers' Ben Sheppard Breaks Down Game-Saving Shot Ben Sheppard’s clutch four-point play sent the Indiana Pacers into overtime against the Charlotte Hornets.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Pops for 14 points Thursday Sheppard tallied 14 points (5-10 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-2 FT), three steals, one rebound and one assist in 28 minutes during Thursday's 121-116 preseason win over Charlotte.

Impact Sheppard provided the Pacers with a nice boost off the bench, something they will be hoping to see more of during the season. Although Bennedict Mathurin is likely to be the first guard off the bench, he is by no means a lock to hold down that position given his inconsistencies. Sheppard has proven an ability to be a sparkplug scorer and should Mathurin struggle to begin the season, the coaching staff may opt to shift Sheppard up in the rotation.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Game 3 Sheppard will start Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Impact Tyrese Haliburton (leg) has been ruled out for Game 3, and his availability for Game 4 and beyond is in jeopardy too. In 15 postseason appearances, Sheppard has averaged 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 three-pointers.

MAY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Drains three triples Wednesday Sheppard chipped in 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and one assist over 20 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 loss to New York in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Impact Sheppard continues to play meaningful minutes for the Pacers, connecting on three triples en route to 11 points. While the Pacers did end with six players in double-digits, it was still not enough to get over the line in front of a vocal New York crowd. Sheppard should continue to serve as a three-point threat off the bench.

MAY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rookie Ben Sheppard Quietly Helps Indiana Pacers in Opening Round Playoff Victory While his impact has mostly flown under the radar, Indiana's rookie added value off the bench in the six-game win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

MAY 5, 2024 • SI.COM

Returns to bench role Sheppard is not in the starting lineup to face the Bulls on Wednesday.

Impact Sheppard will return to his regular bench role with Aaron Nesmith (knee) back from a one-game absence. Sheppard should see decent minutes off the bench, as he's averaging 18.8 minutes per contest this month.

MARCH 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE