The Indiana Pacers’ shooting guard Caris LeVert has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back. Despite the issue, the organization is hopeful that LeVert won’t miss too much time and can be back on the court by the time the 2021-22 NBA season tips off, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
LeVert is reportedly set to undergo more tests that will reveal the full extent of the injury in the coming days.
LeVert joined Indiana back in January as part of a blockbuster trade that helped the Brooklyn Nets land superstar James Harden. The 27-year-old Michigan product started his stint with the franchise on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to remove a mass on his kidney but made a successful return to court in March. He finished the season playing 35 games in a Pacers jersey and averaged career-high 20.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
The Pacers were the team that drafted Caris LeVert to the NBA with the number 20 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft but ended up sending him to the Nets in exchange for Thaddeus Young. Levert played four and a half seasons for Brooklyn and averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
If LeVert can’t return in time to start the season, the Pacers will most likely turn to veteran Jeremy Lamb for extended minutes. Rookie Chris Duarte, the number 13 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, should get extended playing time in this case as well.
