Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis suffered a left ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the team’s win over the Lakers on Wednesday when he landed on Russell Westbrook‘s foot while going after a rebound.
Despite being in obvious pain, Sabonis stayed in the game and helped Indiana secure the victory. That doesn’t mean his ankle injury is minor, however. As James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star writes, head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game that the sprain is “probably going to be significant.” At the very least, the Pacers will likely hold the All-Star center out of the second game of a back-to-back set on Thursday in Golden State, though no decisions have been announced yet.
“He was not gonna come out of this game,” Carlisle said after the victory, per Boyd. “He was determined to help will us to the win along with Caris (LeVert) and the guys who were out there. … The 3-point shot that Sabonis hit on the bad ankle (to put the Pacers up by eight with 2:28 left) was one of the big shots of the year and just a guy that was completely determined to pull us through this thing.”
LeVert, Sabonis, and Myles Turner have been mentioned most frequently in recent weeks as possible trade candidates for the Pacers. With the February 10 deadline just three weeks away, Sabonis and Turner – who has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot – are both banged up. Those injuries could complicate Indiana’s trade discussions, though Sabonis’ ankle sprain seems unlikely to be a long-term concern.
If Sabonis does miss time, young centers Goga Bitadze and Isaiah Jackson could be in line for increased roles.
The lonzo ball way to not get traded
Why wouldn’t you want to get traded from Indiana?
This sucks!!! Sabonis was playing an outrageously amazing season!
Get well soon, man!
Why was it sooo important to beat the .500 Lakers that they would leave an injured player in the game. “He was not gonna come out of this game” seems a bit extreme for ‘just another game’ in January. Reckless even. Especially if Sabonis is a trade candidate. Oh well, they beat the Lakers, guess that’s the most important thing.
For the Pacers, yes it is lol
Too true, too true!
I know Carlisle is well known for saying very stupid things… but this one probably takes the cookie, right?
He may have been indirectly talking to the GM… it will be pretty depressing if Sabonis gets traded as is being deliberated.