Against the New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers reserve forward/center Isaiah Jackson suffered a scary non-contact injury that looked eerily similar to what happened to teammate James Wiseman earlier this season. Head coach Rick Carlisle seemed to fear the worst in his postgame speech following the Pelicans’ 125-118 victory Friday night.

Losing Jackson and Wiseman in quick succession could prove disastrous for the team’s depth. Now he appears to be allowing backup big Jalen Smith – who can score with both face-up shots around the basket and from deep, while also being a solid rebounder – to leave for the Central Division rivals, the Chicago Bulls, for a three-year, $27 million contract. The free agent contract was a huge mistake.

Learn more: Rick Carlisle unsure of severity of Isaiah Jackson’s injury

Now this seems to be true.

Sources inform Shams Charania of ESPN that Jackson tore his right Achilles tendon and will now be out for the remainder of the season. He will undergo surgery to correct his condition on Monday.

In what will now be his last match of the year, Jackson had an encouraging start before having to leave for good. The 6-foot-10 pro scored six points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out a dime in 15:35.

The 22-year-old former Wildcat concludes his season averaging 7.0 points on 60.9 percent field goal shooting and 50 percent shooting at the foul line, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals.

Jackson was selected with the No. 22 pick by Kentucky in the 2021 NBA Draft and has spent his four professional seasons with the Pacers thus far. He is in the final season of his current rookie contract and will hit restricted free agency this summer. With his health now a major question mark, one wonders if Indiana (or anyone else) will be interested in committing long-term money to Jackson.

We’ve gotten to the point where the Pacers are lacking healthy bodies behind starting five Myles Turner. The versatile veteran 3-D is a unique weapon in the modern NBA, but Indiana will now have to get creative to supplement his absence. Presumably, backup forward Obi Toppin will be drafted in to fit a small-ball five-minute lineup — starting power Pascal Siakam could also serve as an undersized fast-breaking center in some matchups.

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