INDIANAPOLIS — The injury-stricken Indiana Pacers have received another setback, as they announced on Monday that second-year forward Johnny Furphy is anticipated to be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Furphy sustained the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s 122-104 defeat against Toronto. Team officials released a three-paragraph statement on Monday indicating that the Australian was transported to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where an MRI confirmed the severity of the injury. Indiana is currently in New York to compete against the Knicks on Tuesday.
Furphy adds to an already lengthy injury list, which prominently features two-time All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following a torn Achilles tendon sustained in Game 7 of June’s NBA Finals.
Starters Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and important reserves Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell have all missed games due to injuries this season. Consequently, Indiana holds the second-worst record in the league at 13-40. However, these absences provided Furphy, a second-round draft selection in 2024 from Kansas, an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities in 21 starts. He was averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
The Pacers may also be facing another injury concern with new center Ivica Zubac, who was acquired last week in a trade with the LA Clippers. He has been managing an ankle injury since December, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle recently stated that Zubac will not play until he is “truly ready.”
