The opening game of the 2024/25 season has been positive for the Indiana Pacers. The Little Caesars Arena witnessed the home team, the Detroit Pistons, lose 115-106 to Rick Carlisle’s squad. However, concerning news from within the Pacers’ lineup has overshadowed the optimistic result, as center James Wiseman left the court just five minutes after stepping onto it. Reports indicate that his injury is severe.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the 23-year-old Pacers star suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in the game against the Pistons. The team and the one-time champion have since stated that they are closely managing the matter. Hours ago, Charania shared an update:

“Wiseman underwent successful surgery last night to repair his left Achilles tendon, league sources said. The surgery was performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery and a full recovery timeline will be established in the coming weeks.”

Dr. O’Malley, who previously performed Achilles repair surgery on Kevin Durant, handled the procedure, providing reassurance that Wiseman is in capable hands. However, following an Achilles injury and surgery, rehabilitation and recovery will likely keep Wiseman off the court for the entire season. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the 2024-25 season is officially over for the Pacers’ center.

Wiseman had already scored six points in his five minutes of play before the unfortunate injury. Now, missing out on the season seems inevitable, posing new concerns for HC Rick Carlisle and the team. The Pacers are set to face a tough challenge against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with Karl-Anthony Towns and his team eager for a win after their opening loss. Indiana must now reconsider their game plan.

How has the Indiana Pacers center’s NBA been since 2020?

James Wiseman has faced a tough journey in the NBA and now encounters another setback. In the Pacers’ opening game, he went down with a non-contact Achilles injury just after taking a jump shot, finishing the night with six points and one rebound in five minutes. This is a difficult blow for the 7-foot center. The Warriors had seen him as a future star when they picked him at No. 2 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 23YO showed promise in his rookie season. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. But injuries kept him sidelined for most of the next two years. He was later traded to the Detroit Pistons, where last season he played a career-high 63 games, averaging a respectable 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Now, with the Pacers on a two-year, $4.8 million deal, Wiseman will work closely with the medical team and Indiana’s front office on his recovery process, though it remains uncertain when he will return to action.

This Achilles injury will likely keep Wiseman sidelined for the season, once again putting his comeback dreams on hold. The Pacers, already feeling his absence, will need to adapt quickly to press on without their talented center. As Wiseman embarks on his recovery journey, the team and fans alike hope he’ll return stronger and ready to reclaim his place on the court.