Pacers' Chris Duarte: Unlikely to return for road trip
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Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Monday that Duarte (ankle) "is getting closer" but is unlikely to return to action during the team's ongoing seven-game road trip, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Carlisle wasn't definitively willing to rule Duarte out from returning before the road trip ends Dec. 7 in Minnesota, but the second-year wing still sounds like he has a few hurdles to clear in his recovery from the left ankle sprain before gaining full clearance. The injury Duarte suffered Nov. 4 will likely end up sidelining him for more than a month, paving the way for Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith to pick up more minutes on the wing.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Out Monday
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Duarte (ankle) will not suit up for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Duarte has appeared in just one game in November so far due to a left ankle sprain and will continue his streak of absences Monday. Andrew Nembhard (knee) and Bennedict Mathurin will continue to benefit from Duarte's injury, while Duarte's next chance to return will come Wednesday against the Kings.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Not available Sunday
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Duarte (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Back on Nov. 18, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reported that Duarte was gearing up for a return to the court at some point during the Pacers' seven-game road trip that begins Sunday. While Duarte ultimately won't get cleared to play Sunday, he could still join the Pacers at some point during the trip if he continues to make steady progress in his recovery from the left ankle sprain. Duarte has been sidelined since Nov. 4 with the injury.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Could return in late November
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Duarte (ankle) is doubtful to return during the Pacers' upcoming four-game homestand but could rejoin the lineup after Thanksgiving Day during the team's seven-game road trip, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Duarte was initially ruled out for 4-to-6 weeks after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain in a Nov. 4 win over Heat. While Duarte may return as soon as Nov. 27 against the Clippers, he seems more likely to remain out until at least early December.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Out 4-to-6 weeks
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Duarte suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain Friday against the Heat and is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Duarte has failed to take a step forward this season as a sophomore and was averaging just 10.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes before his injury. His extended absence could open up more minutes for Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Won't return Friday
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Duarte (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Friday's game against the Heat, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Duarte twisted his left ankle on Kyle Lowry's foot in the first quarter of Friday's game and was helped to the locker room by teammates. In his absence, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard figure to see increased roles off the bench.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Exits Friday's game
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Duarte (ankle) was helped off of the court in the first quarter of Friday's game and is questionable to return, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Duarte rolled his left ankle on Kyle Lowry's foot and is questionable to return to the contest. If he is unable to retake the court, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard could see expanded minutes.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Shines against Nets
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Duarte accumulated 30 points (10-15 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block in 38 minutes during Monday's 116-109 loss to the Nets.
Duarte had his best game of the season Monday, but that doesn't say much given how poor his start to the season has been. Starting in place of Aaron Nesmith (foot), Duarte delivered his first game with more than 15 points while also showing elite levels of efficiency as a shooter. This might have been an outlier rather than the norm going forward, though, as he's averaged just 12.0 points per game across four starts.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Moves to starting lineup
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Duarte is in the starting lineup Saturday against the Nets.
Duarte has endured a tough start to the season, but he moves to the starting unit in place of Aaron Nesmith (foot). This will be Duarte's third start of the campaign, and he averaged just 4.5 points per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field in the previous two.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Underwhelming start continues
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Duarte accumulated 12 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block over 26 minutes during Wednesday's 124-109 loss to the Bulls.
Duarte did see an uptick in playing time but was unable to cash in for those still holding on to the hope of a breakout. Coming into the season, he was viewed as a viable late-round target on the back of a solid rookie campaign. Unfortunately, Bennedict Mathurin has quickly established himself as the preferred option, so Duarte is probably headed down the path of being a drop in most standard leagues.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Coming off bench
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Duarte will come off the bench Saturday against the Pistons, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
After starting the first two games but seeing fewer than 20 minutes in each, Duarte will come off the bench while Aaron Nesmith gets the nod. With Bennedict Mathurin also playing well, Duarte's role seems to be in permanent jeopardy.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Not included on injury report
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Duarte (nose) doesn't possess an injury designation ahead of Friday's game against the Spurs.
Duarte started the opener and logged 19 minutes prior to his exit after taking an elbow to the nose. Fortunately, it appears he didn't pick up any lasting damage and should resume his starting duties against the Spurs.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Held in check prior to exiting game
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Duarte had five points (1-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one steal in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 114-107 loss to Washington.
Duarte had a limited impact early in Wednesday's regular-season opener and headed to the locker room in the fourth quarter after taking an elbow to the nose. While he returned to the bench area a few minutes later, the 2021 first-rounder didn't return to the game down the stretch. It's not yet clear whether the issue will impact his availability for Friday's matchup against the Spurs.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Third-year option picked up
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The Pacers exercised Duarte's $4.12 million team option for 2023-24 on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Duarte opened his rookie season as a starter on the wing and played 30-plus minutes in eight of the Pacers' first nine games, but he saw both his performance and playing time drop off a bit as Indiana reclaimed health on the wing. The 25-year-old still earned a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 three-pointers and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes per game over 55 appearances, so the Pacers' decision to pick up his third-year option comes as no surprise. He'll likely open the upcoming campaign as a starter on the wing alongside Buddy Hield, though Duarte could lose out on minutes as the season unfolds if lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin proves worthy of more playing time.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Stuffs stat sheet in loss
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Duarte posted 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 21 minutes in Friday's 131-114 loss against the Knicks.
Duarte is known for his defense, but he made an efficient impact on offense Friday. He's not expected to hold a high-usage role on offense with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield on the floor as well, but he should still put up decent numbers in most nights.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Likely done for Summer League
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Duarte (rest) isn't expected to retake the floor during Summer League action, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Duarte appeared in just one Summer League contest for the Pacers, and they seem to be satisfied with what they've seen from him. As a rookie, Duarte racked up 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 28.0 minutes per game, and he figures to be a featured member of the rotation again this season.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Won't play Sunday
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Duarte (rest) won't play in Sunday's Summer League game against the Kings, James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Duarte missed the final month of last season due to a toe injury, and the team continues to be cautious with the second-year guard. The Oregon product played in Friday's Summer League game and didn't experience any setbacks, so his absence Sunday is likely precautionary.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Officially out for season
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Duarte (toe) won't play in the final three games of the regular season, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
As expected, Duarte won't return to action during the final week of the season. The rookie hasn't seen the court since March 15 due to a sore left big toe, and he didn't appear to be making any progress. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes across 55 appearances during his first NBA campaign.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Likely out for season
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Duarte (toe) isn't expected to return this season, James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star reports. "It's unlikely we'll see him the rest of the [season] but not impossible," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Friday.
Duarte is dealing with a sore left big toe and hasn't seen the court since March 15, missing the past seven games. Assuming he's out for the year, he'll conclude his rookie campaign with averages of 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes.
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Pacers' Chris Duarte: Out Friday
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Duarte (toe) is out Friday against the Celtics.
Duarte will miss an eighth straight game due to a toe injury, and he's running out of opportunities to return. The Pacers' final game is April 10 at Brooklyn.
