{
  "id": 16935181,
  "title": "Ben Sheppard Injury: Indiana Guard’s Absence Opens The Door For Teammate To Steal His Role",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/ben-sheppard-injury-indiana-guards-absence-opens-the-door-for",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T17:46:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ben-sheppard-injury-indiana-guard-174637691.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 21, 2026, during an Indiana Pacers game in New Orleans, guard Ben Sheppard (26) suffered a torn meniscus following a kick ball against the New Orleans Pelicans. This injury will keep him out for an extended period, which leaves Indiana with a significant void in their lineup. With Sheppard out, Jalen Slawson, a forward on a two-way contract with Indiana, has a prime opportunity to take over his role. Slawson has shown impressive growth during his time with the Pacers, averaging 20.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.2 blocks during the 2025-26 season. His skills in rebounding and defense make him a strong contender to fill Sheppard's shoes and potentially earn more playing time. Despite Sheppard's contributions during his tenure with Indiana, his injury raises questions about his future with the team. While Slawson has proven he is NBA-ready, the injury creates a competitive environment that could help him establish himself as a more crucial part of the rotation.",
  "summary": "Following the Pelicans game, the Ben Sheppard injury opens the door for a teammate to earn more playing time, which could alter the guard's future with Indiana. Sheppard suffered a torn meniscus following Indiana's season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was recently announced that Sheppard will undergo surgery for the injury, meaning he …",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}