The Indiana Pacers will be without starters for several weeks. Before the Pacers game against the New York Knicks, head coach Rick Carlisle noted that forward Aaron Nesmith and guard Andrew Nembhard are both dealing with different issues.

Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star reported the news.

“Forward Aaron Nesmith will be out until at least December with a sprained left ankle and guard Andrew Nembhard will be out at least two more weeks with patellar tendonitis, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday at his pre-match press conference with the Pacers and the Knicks.”

Losing both players will be tough for the Pacers, especially considering the slower start to the season they have had. Nesmith and Nembhard are the core of this team, so others will have to step up in the meantime.

Carlisle spoke about the injuries and how the team will have to move forward until they can return.

“NBA coaching is ingenuity, problem solving and crisis management,” Carlisle said. “This is really just another day in the arena. We haven’t had guys at this level for a while. There are great opportunities here for some of the younger guys. We still have some of our best players playing and just have to find the balance.”

The Pacers defense will take a hit with both players missing time. Nesmith and Nembhard are the Pacers’ two best perimeter defenders, and in games they have typically taken on tougher assignments.

Indiana will rely on wings Ben Sheppard and Bennedict Mathurin to take the lead without their two forwards. Jarace Walker could also see a bigger role.

On the season, Nesmith has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.7 steals per game. He also shoots 54.5 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Nembhard is averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He has shot 23.1 percent from beyond the arc, a huge drop from his 35.7 percent shooting last year.

The Pacers have started the year with a 4-4 record after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago. They are trying to replicate the success they saw, but it could be a challenge with all the injuries.

Indiana was a gritty team, but it remains to be seen if they can continue to float in the East.

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