Braden Smith starting for severely short-handed Pacers vs. Hawks

Former Purdue All-American and Westfield High School star Braden Smith will start for the severely undermanned Pacers on Monday in the second night of a back-to-back against the Hawks for his first start as an NBA player, coach Rick Carlisle said in his pre-game news conference Monday.

Smith, a second-round pick on a two-way contract, has played 18 minutes in four appearances. He's 0 of 3 from the floor, but has scored one point on a free throw. The all-time assists leader in Division I history has registered two assists.

"This is obviously a great opportunity for Braden," Carlisle said. "He will start so he'll have his first career NBA start which is pretty exciting for him I would think."

The Pacers will dress just eight players with seven of the actually available. Forward Obi Toppin, who was listed as questionable when the injury report was released Monday afternoon, will dress to give the Pacers the required minimum number of eight active players but he will not play, Carlisle said. Forward Larry Nance Jr., listed as doubtful with an illness, will also not play.

Eight other players were ruled out in Monday's initial injury report. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, forward Aaron Nesmith and guard Andrew Nembhard are sitting out the second half of a back-to-back for rest or injury management reasons. Carlisle noted that this was the Pacers' second back-to-back in a week which is why the players got this day off and not the second night of the season's first back-to-back. All Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring strain), center Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain), backup point guard T.J. McConnell (right hamstring strain), guard Ben Sheppard (torn left meniscus) and forward Johnny Furphy (torn ACL) have all been out for multiple games with their injuries and are still out.

Of the seven healthy and available players, just four are on standard contracts -- guard Quenton Jackson, forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jarace Walker and center Jay Huff. All three players on two-way contracts -- Smith and forwards Kobe Brown and Jalen Slawson -- have to be active.

"We're just gonna have to get through this thing the best we can," Carlisle said.