Luka Doncic, Mavericks take aim at injury-riddled Pacers

The NBA trade deadline is still three months away, but the injury-plagued Indiana Pacers may be forced to test the waters sooner rather than later.Indiana’s injury list continues to grow ahead of the Pacers’ matchup against the host Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.Dallas was able to rest its starters for much of the fourth quarter on Sunday, when the Mavericks led by as many as 33 points in a 108-85 win over the visiting Orlando Magic.Mavericks star Luka Doncic scored 25 points in the first half and finished with 32 to go with nine rebounds and seven assists in 32 minutes.”Today was real fun,” Doncic said. “We were guarding everybody, defending, rebounding and playing with a lot of pace. So that’s fun for me.”Indiana will look to regroup after losing 125-118 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) and center Isaiah Jackson exited the game due to injury.Nesmith has been ruled out for Monday’s contest, while Jackson will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon.The Pacers also could face the Mavericks minus guard Andrew Nembhard, who is dealing with knee tendinitis.Jackson, who is averaging 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game, is the second Pacers center to suffer a torn Achilles tendon this season. James Wiseman tore his Achilles in the season opener against the Detroit Pistons.The Pacers’ lack of depth in the frontcourt was an issue in the loss to New Orleans as Pelicans star Zion Williamson scored 34 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field.