
Sheppard's absence does not significantly impact fantasy basketball, especially with Aaron Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin available. Those two will absorb most of the minutes that would have gone to Sheppard, raising both ceilings.
While Sheppard does not significantly impact fantasy basketball, he does play consistent rotation minutes off the bench. His minutes could be distributed among multiple players, notably starter Aaron Nesmith and fellow reserve Bennedict Mathurin.
Siakam popped up on the injury report with an elbow issue while Nesmith was dealing with an ankle injury. Both are available Friday as Pacers coach Rick Carlisle emphatically told reporters before the game both players along with Bennedict Mathurin will play against the Jazz.
Mathurin has missed the last three games as he continues to manage a calf injury. The 22-year-old small forward will return Friday against the Jazz and resume his usual bench role, which will cut into Ben Sheppard's minutes.
Mathurin has missed Indiana's last three games but may be back to take on Utah. Ben Sheppard has taken on extra minutes with Mathurin sidelined, but his skillset doesn't translate well to fantasy basketball. If Mathurin is out again, Sheppard doesn't need to be added off the waiver wire.