Pacers center Jalen Smith feeling better after All-Star break, lower back spasms improving

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite being available to play on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith is still dealing with back spasms.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle shared pregame that Smith would be active for the matchup, but he didn't end up playing. Instead, Isaiah Jackson absorbed the 20 backup center minutes the blue and gold had available that night.

"He was available if there was an emergency. I didn't want to say that before the game because I didn't want it to sound disrespectful to Detroit at all," Carlisle explained after the action. "What Jalen has gone through is something that requires time... This affords him three additional days without the collisions of an NBA game to fully recover.

"The hope is that by Sunday, he's really where he needs to be," Carlisle added. Smith was visible after Indiana practiced on Saturday — he was getting up three pointers on the same basket as wing Doug McDermott. The Pacers host the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow.

Smith has been dealing with lower back spasms for a while now. He hasn't played since February 8, and that night he only played in the first half. He was terrific for those two quarters, but he wasn't able to finish the outing against Golden State. Throughout the season, he has missed games here and there due to the injury, and he's missed five of his team's last eight matchups.

The 23-year old has missed exactly one-third of Indiana's games this season. He is averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest this year and has improved dramatically from the last campaign to this one.

"My back is a lot better. It was getting bad toward the All-Star break... overall, that rest helped a lot," Smith said earlier this week. He stayed in Indianapolis for the All-Star break.

"I feel a lot better," he added, noting that the time off was helpful for resting the injury.

Even though Smith didn't play a minute in Indiana's most recent game, the fact that he was available to do so at all was noteworthy, and he's practiced twice this week. With every game being critical for the Pacers the rest of the way, having as many bodies as possible healthy will be vital.