Pacers center Isaiah Jackson will undergo surgery on Monday after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Jackson had to be carried off the court in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game against New Orleans after collapsing with a non-contact injury to his right calf, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Indiana is already without backup big man James Wiseman, who tore his left Achilles tendon on opening night. He underwent surgery last week, and a recovery timeline is still being determined.
With Jackson and Wiseman both unavailable for at least most of the season, Dopirak expects Obi Toppin and two-way rookie Enrique Freeman to see increased minutes as the backups to starting center Myles Turner.
The Pacers have an open roster spot to add another big man, but they have to consider the luxury tax implications of a new contract, since they’re operating within $2MM of the tax line. Wiseman’s deal only carries a $500K guarantee, but it’s likely to become fully guaranteed for $2.2MM due to his injury.
Jackson is in his fourth season with Indiana after being acquired in a draft-night trade in 2021. He had appeared in five of the team’s first six games, averaging 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 60.9% from the field in 16.8 minutes per night.
The 22-year-old will be a restricted free agent next summer if the Pacers decide to extend a qualifying offer.