Doug McDermott practices on Friday, getting close to a return from calf injury Indiana Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers wing Doug McDermott was able to practice today as he approaches a return to action for the blue and gold.

McDermott has been dealing with a strained right calf, and it has kept him out for the last few weeks. The 32-year old has missed eight-straight outings for the blue and gold and hasn't played since February 28.

"He's doing better. He practiced today," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of McDermott on Friday. The sharpshooting wing could be seen moving around the facilities in a practice jersey with a new haircut.

"He's getting close [to returning]," Carlisle added. McDermott was traded to the Pacers on the day of the trade deadline, and he played in six games for his new team before the calf injury.

In those half-dozen appearances, the veteran wing averaged 3.2 points per game. He debuted in New York and scored 13 points in Toronto four days later. He has buried 41.5% of his outside shots during the 2023-24 season.

"He's just an elite shooter and scorer, something that we obviously needed once Buddy [Hield] was gone," Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said of McDermott. They played together earlier in their careers.

On top of his scoring, McDermott is averaging 0.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game for the blue and gold. His outside shooting will be his most important skill upon returning — the Pacers rank 21st in three-point percentage since the All-Star break. They were fourth beforehand.

Despite his improving status, McDermott is officially listed as out for the Pacers next game, which is against the Brooklyn Nets in Indianapolis on Saturday. He and Bennedict Mathurin, who has a torn right labrum and had surgery on his shoulder today, are the only rotation players on Indiana's injury report.