Another Young Pacers Guard Leaves Thunder Preseason Game with New Injury

Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Johnny Furphy (12) during the second half during game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers' backcourt just cannot stay healthy against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

During a memorable-for-all-the-wrong-reasons NBA Finals Game 7, All-NBA Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his Achilles tendon. Without him, the Pacers' offense stumbled, ultimately losing the script in the game's second half and watching the Larry O'Brien Trophy slip from its grasp.

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In an ongoing preseason Saturday rematch, combo guard Quenton Jackson was ruled out for the entire second half with a hamstring injury.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Pacers were struck by the injury bug yet again.

Per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, second-year shooting guard Johnny Furphy lingered face-down on the hardwood for a while before managing to depart the court under his own power.

Johnny Furphy hobbling off the floor. Was face down for a bit and he's limping a little. Walking off on his own power but not enjoying it very much.

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) October 12, 2025

Dopirak adds that Furphy left for the Indiana locker room afterwards, rocking a noticeable limp.

Furphy to the locker room.

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) October 12, 2025

Dopirak quickly revealed that Furphy, too, had been ruled out for the rest of the contest quickly after his exit with a sprained left ankle.

Furphy out the rest of the way. https://t.co/LEBbwQah9S

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) October 12, 2025

These injuries, of course, are racking up. Guard T.J. McConnell will be out for the next month with a hamstring strain of his own, per Dopirak, which inspired the Pacers' front office to sign Cameron Payne to a new deal, cutting Delon Wright to accommodate the addition.

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As of this writing, Oklahoma City trails the hurting Pacers, 75-64, in the middle of the third frame. Across 11:24 of action off the Pacers bench, Furphy scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 shooting from the charity stripe, three rebounds and a steal.

During his debut season with Indiana in 2024-25, the 6-foot-9 Kansas product played mop-up minutes off the bench, unable to crack head coach Rick Carlisle's Finals-bound rotation. In 50 games, Furphy averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds.

The Thunder are poised to defend their crown this year. Armed with youth and health, Oklahoma City could very be the first team to repeat as a champion since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.

Pacers At A Crossroads

Indiana, meanwhile, finds itself at a crossroads this year. Haliburton has already been ruled out for the entire season — although it's certainly possible he outplays his recovery timeline and is back in action for a playoff push, at least in theory. The Pacers let free agent 3-and-D starting center Myles Turner walk, and have opted to use career backups to replace him piecemeal this year.

The team can ill afford to lose any more guards. Here's hoping this ankle sprain doesn't keep.

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.