The Pacers have lost power forward/center Jermaine O’Neal for at least the next two weeks with a bruised left knee. O’Neal has played in 33 games so far this season for the Pacers and he is averaging 31.3 minutes, 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 blocked shots per game. Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster will likely pick up O’Neal’s minutes while he is out. Murphy has played in 35 games this season and he’s averaging 25.9 minutes, 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Foster has played in 37 games this season and he is averaging 22.6 minutes, 5.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Pacers will miss O’Neal on the defensive end more than the offensive end as Murphy has some skills.

Ike Diogu will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a torn left calf muscle. This hurts both the Pacers and Diogu who was off to an outstanding start to the season. Diogu has played in 3 games (1 start) this season and he averaged 23.3 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He also was shooting well as he hit 57.1% of his shots from the floor and 100% from the free throw line.

The Pacers will be without Jermaine O’Neal and Marquis Daniels for the next three or four games.  O’Neal is impossible for the Pacers to be without as he’s their best player without a doubt.  O’Neal has a sprained left knee and will be missed on both ends of the floor.  O’Neal had played in 54 games this season and he’s averaged 19.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.9 blocks per game.  Marquis Daniels has tendinitis in the left knee.  He’s a valuable reserve for the Indiana Pacers who will miss his athletic ability.  Daniels has averaged 17.8 minutes, 7.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game so far this season.  The Pacers could be in trouble as they’ve been fading as of late.

Reserve point guard Keith McLeod will miss a couple of weeks with an abdominal strain.  He’s not much of a loss as he was basically just a throw-in to get the big trade finished.  They Pacers don’t have big plans for McLeod.

Reserve center David Harrison will likely miss another week with a sprained left shoulder.  He is only averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds so far this season, but he’s been a capable reserve in the past for the Pacers.