Tag: Isaiah Jackson

Mock trade sees Bulls flip Alex Caruso for 20-year-old and big man

In a recent mock trade, the Chicago Bulls would flip Alex Caruso to the Indiana Pacers for two young players.

The Chicago Bulls should pivot this summer. Instead of competing for a playoff spot, they should reset and plan for the future, adding young pieces next to Coby White. In a recent mock trade written by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, they would send Alex Caruso to the Indiana Pacers for 20-year-old forward Jarace Walker and big man Isaiah Jackson.

“The Pacers made a bold move to get Pascal Siakam in January, and it resulted in their first Eastern Conference Finals trip in a decade,” Buckley wrote. “Even if some will say injuries assisted in that run, the goal was to make noise in the playoffs, and they’ve generated plenty of it. So, does this fuel them toward more win-now activity in the offseason? Because if Siakam is sticking around—Indy’s willingness to give up three first-round picks for him indicates an obvious desire to keep him—Walker faces quite the obstacle to find meaningful minutes. And despite flashes of athletic interior activity, Jackson still can’t quite lock down a nightly rotation role, either.

“Would the Pacers consider flipping both for Caruso? It’s easy to argue they should. They need a pesky defensive presence like him on the perimeter, and his versatility extends to the offensive end, which means he can mesh with whomever head coach Rick Carlisle trots out. Caruso isn’t a star, but if Indiana is as close to contending as this postseason push has made it seem, he might be the sneaky-smart addition that gets this group over the proverbial hump.”

Bringing in two young players for Caruso could help the Bulls have a brighter tomorrow.

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Multiple Pacers give respect to Sixers stars Joel Embiid, James Harden

The Indiana Pacers give their respect to Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden for their performances.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers feature a star duo that is extremely tough to stop in the form of Joel Embiid and James Harden. The big fella is able to take a game over in the blink of an eye while Harden has been looking his former self to begin the 2022-23 season.

Those two were tough to stop in the 2021-22 season, but with a full offseason and training camp to continue their growth, they have the ability to take it to the next level.

They had huge nights in a 120-106 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday, and they earned the respect of multiple Paces, including coach Rick Carlisle.

2021 NBA draft class: Final rookie stat leaders for the 2021-22 season

Rookie Wire took a look back at which first-year players were among the leaders in scoring, rebounding, assists and more.

With the 2021-22 regular season wrapped up, observers of the NBA can now take a look back at the year that was and evaluate how each player performed, including the rookie class.

The group played at a high level throughout the season with several individuals emerging as potential future All-Stars. As a result, the Rookie of the Year voting is expected to be highly competitive with as many as five players in the running to win.

Rookie Wire took a look back at how the class performed and which players were among the leaders in key statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding and assists.

Note: Stat leaders are according to NBA.com.

Pacers: Rick Carlisle reveals injury update on Isaiah Jackson

Jackson was placed into the NBA’s concussion protocol last week after a loss to the Grizzlies.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Sunday said rookie Isaiah Jackson could return this week after recently entering the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Jackson suffered the injury on Tuesday in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies after he was inadvertently hit in the face with the ball. He did not travel with the team to Houston on Friday and was ruled out of playing on Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

“He is not playing today,” Carlisle said. “He is doing better but not playing today. It is possible he could be back for Wednesday if he gets through all of the protocol things.”

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Jackson, in 30 games, is averaging 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots this season. He has missed time due to various injuries, including a hyperextended left knee, and also spent time in the NBA G League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

The 22nd pick has impressed in stretches this season given his ability as a lob threat on offense and skill to protect the paint and switch onto smaller guards on defense. He will be looking to return to the court soon and begin to build positive momentum heading into the offseason.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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John Calipari pulled up to watch Isaiah Jackson, Pacers play Grizzlies

Kentucky will open up the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Indianapolis with St. Peter’s, the 15th-seeded MAAC champions.

Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari was among those in attendance on Tuesday to watch the Indiana Pacers host the Memphis Grizzlies at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Wildcats will open up the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Indianapolis with St. Peter’s, the 15th-seeded MAAC champions. The Wildcats earned the second seed after posting a 26-7 record and advancing to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

With the Pacers in town, Calipari stopped in to watch former Wildcats forward Isaiah Jackson. Unfortunately, Calipari wasn’t treated to a competitive game as the Pacers lost, 135-102. Jackson had nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in 21 minutes before fouling out.

Of course, Jackson played last season under Calipari, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honors after averaging 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 25 games. He was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and was eventually the 22nd pick in the NBA draft by the Pacers.

The Wildcats open up as 17.5-point favorites on Thursday.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Rookie Power Rankings: Cade Cunningham showing out for red-hot Pistons

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

With just over one month to go in the NBA season, teams around the league are looking to finalize preparations for the playoffs or look ahead to their offseason plans.

The league has seen several remarkable performances as of late with some rookie players joining in on the action. From Cade Cunningham to Moses Moody, the rookie class is reminding everyone that they could be perhaps the best in recent memory.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Tyrese Haliburton sees Isaiah Jackson as a great lob threat

Haliburton and Jackson connected on a few lobs late on Sunday in a win over the Celtics.

Indiana Pacers rookie Isaiah Jackson entered the NBA known as a strong defender, but the 22nd pick is also emerging as a lob threat on the offensive end of the floor.

Jackson, in 22 games, is averaging 6.5 points, three rebounds and one block with the Pacers this season. He played sparingly to begin the season but has seen a larger role with the team as of late, earning the start in each of the Pacers’ last two games.

The 20-year-old has dazzled throughout the season with his athleticism and leaping ability. He has shown that he can switch onto smaller guards on defense while also controlling the paint. On offense, he is active on the glass and is consistently a lob threat down low.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton believes Jackson is a great lob threat.

Isaiah really flies. I think he has the potential to be one of the biggest lob threats in this league so just keep learning each other and him learning how I like him to set screens. We’re playing against different coverages every night so just keep learning the game, keep thinking the game the right way where he is getting closer and that’s helping.

Jackson recorded 11 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots on Sunday in a win over the Boston Celtics. He appears to be building a nice pairing with Haliburton after they connected on a few lobs in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

The Pacers will use the final stretch of the season to build chemistry with each other with so many newcomers on the roster. However, Jackson and the rest of the team appear to be gelling well together and that should be an encouraging sign moving forward.

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Rick Carlisle: Isaiah Jackson was ‘tremendous’ en route to career night

Jackson on Monday became just the second Pacers rookie since 2010 to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game.

With the Indiana Pacers down Domantas Sabonis, Isaiah Jackson knew he needed to have a strong performance on Monday, and the rookie did just that to lead his team to a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jackson produced a career-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots in the 122-116 victory. He went 12-of-19 from the field in 29 minutes of work in place of Sabonis, who was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol on Monday.

In addition to Sabonis, the Pacers were also without Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon, which also opened the door for Terry Taylor (15 points, eight rebounds) and Duane Washington Jr. (16 points). They were commended afterward by head coach Rick Carlisle.

The contributions of Isaiah Jackson, Terry Taylor and Duane Washington were just tremendous tonight. It is so great to see, so heart-warming. Fouls have been an issue for Isaiah, he has been fouling out of games in 12-14 minutes. He had zero fouls tonight and had just an unbelievable effort with 26 and 10.

With the performance, Jackson became just the second Pacers rookie to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds since Turner in 2010. He is the fourth rookie to reach those numbers in a game this season, joining Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham and Bones Hyland.

The start for Jackson on Monday was his first of the season. He had played sparingly this season prior to January but has seen a larger role as of late with injuries and players in the protocol. He was initially a bit nervous to start but eventually locked in.

There were a little nerves in the beginning but after you start hooping, everything just goes out the door. I know my guys needed me so I knew I was going to be there to step up and I contributed a lot today so I’m just going to keep growing on that.

With Sabonis out at least a few games, Jackson figures to continue to see a larger role with the Pacers. Despite not having minutes for him, the Pacers knew what Jackson was capable of providing and the 22nd pick showcased that on Monday.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Upset Special: How Pacers’ rookies sparked road win over Warriors

The short-handed Pacers pulled off an upset win on the road over the Warriors thanks in large part to the efforts of several rookies.

On Thursday, the short-handed Indiana Pacers pulled off an upset win on the road over the Golden State Warriors thanks in large part to the efforts of several first-year players.

Down several starters, including Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert, the Pacers were forced to rely on other players in the contest. Chris Duarte stepped up to lead the way after tying a career-high with 27 points in the 121-117 overtime win.

To force overtime, the Pacers needed the clutch shooting of Justin Holiday. With 9.4 seconds in regulation, and the Pacers down by three points, Holiday lost Stephen Curry for the open look. He drilled the shot with six seconds remaining.

From there, the Warriors missed a layup and the game went to OT.

Indiana entered the contest as 16.5-point underdogs without four of their starters available. The win marked the third-largest upset of the Warriors under head coach Steve Kerr as the team has now lost six out of their last nine contests.

Here is a more in-depth look at how the Pacers’ rookies played a key role in the upset win.

Pacers’ Duarte, Jackson placed into health and safety protocol

Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson were reportedly among the Pacers placed into the health and safety protocol on Thursday.

Indiana Pacers rookies Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson on Thursday were reportedly among the players placed into the NBA’s health and safety protocol, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Duarte and Jackson join Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb in the protocol. The team lost head coach Rick Carlisle to the protocol earlier this month but has mostly avoided a serious outbreak on the roster until this week with four players now sidelined.

Players and coaches entered into the health and safety protocol that are vaccinated can now be cleared to return after six days, compared to the previous 10-day isolation period. Individuals can still be cleared sooner if they return two negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart.

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Duarte has emerged as one of the top rookies and a key player for the Pacers. He had scored in double figures in six straight contests prior to entering the protocol, averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists during that span. He ranks second in total scoring among all rookies.

Jackson, who was the 22nd pick, has played sparingly this season but has drawn praise from Carlisle for his potential and ability on defense. He has played four games in the NBA G League, averaging 13.5 points 7.5 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Over 200 players have entered the health and safety protocol in the month of December alone as 10 games have been postponed as a result. Teams have called up over 80 players from the NBA G League to replace those in the protocol.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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