Isaiah Jackson tears Achilles tendon, out for the season

Former Kentucky players in the NBA have not had much luck in the injury department to start off 2024-25 season and it just got worse. In the Indiana Pacers’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Isaiah Jackson tore his Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season. Shams first broke the story and the team confirmed the bad news on Saturday.

Jackson will have surgery Monday.

Isaiah Jackson suffered an injury to his right Achilles tendon during last night's game at New Orleans.

An MRI taken earlier today confirmed that Jackson tore his right Achilles tendon, with surgery scheduled for Monday, November 4.

Learn more: https://t.co/Py7waxCXjq pic.twitter.com/DDnwPj5PZR

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 3, 2024

The injury was of the dreaded non-contact variety. As he went up to contest a jump shot, Jackson immediately looked hobbled, and you could instantly tell something was wrong. He was unable to put weight on his leg and needed assistance getting off the court. Unfortunately, the Pacers’ worst fears about the diagnosis came true.

Rick Carlisle on Isaiah’s Jackson’s right calf injury, his voice trembling.

"We don't have a final prognosis on Isaiah's situation. But it's a right lower-leg injury. We're hoping it's not the worse news.”

Video of the non-contact injury, which appears to be another Achilles. pic.twitter.com/2lSXmAVSkW

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) November 2, 2024

For Jackson, the injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. In the last year of his rookie contract, this was to be his prove-it season as he vied for a bigger NBA deal in the offseason, and things were going well. With a few other big men out for the Pacers, Jackson was getting more minutes than he has historically and averaging seven points, 5.6 rebounds, and two blocks per game.

Other players to tear their Achilles tendon over the years include superstars Kevin Durrant, Kobe Bryant, and Kentucky’s own DeMarcus Cousins. All of those players, with the exception of Cousins (though that could have been for different reasons/injuries) went on to a full recovery and return to pique playing condition, so there is no reason to think Jackson can’t do the same.

Even though he was part of one of the worst teams in Kentucky history, and is often a forgotten member of the BBNBA, Jackson still has a place in the heart of Big Blue Nation. Get well soon.

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