Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith missing third straight game

SACRAMENTO -- Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith will miss a third straight game with lower leg issues, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Thursday in his pre-game press conference before Indiana's 10 p.m. game against the Kings. Carlisle said point guard Andrew Nembhard was a game-time decision with a thoracic spine sprain, and before game time, Nembhard was ruled out.

Though All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable on the injury report, Carlisle reiterated that he will miss Thursday night's game against the Kings. However, guard Bennedict Mathurin (ankle sprain) and forward Obi Toppin (calf strain) will be available.

The injuries put the Pacers at a severe disadvantage because they are already short-handed after the trade Wednesday that brings them All-NBA wing Pascal Siakam from the Raptors and gives up guard Bruce Brown Jr. and forward Jordan Nwora as well as three draft picks. Siakam has not yet joined the team and Brown and Nwora have already left. Also, forward James Johnson had to be released for the Pacers to add guard Kira Lewis to the roster to then immediately trade him to the Raptors. The Pacers intend to re-sign him, sources said, but he had to clear waivers first and he hadn't rejoined the roster by Thursday. The Pacers have 11 men available, but two of them are two-way players Kendall Brown and Oscar Tshiebwe.

Veteran T.J. McConnell will start in Haliburton and Nembhard's place at point guard. Mathurin and Buddy Hield will start at shooting guard and small forward. Jalen Smith and Myles Turner will play power forward and center.