Pacers coach says team COVID-19 vaccination rate ‘very high’

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle talks about the team Sept. 27, 2021, at media day in Indianapolis. (WISH Photo/Olivia Ray/Twitter)

(AP) — Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says his new team has a “very high” COVID-19 vaccination rate but declined to give a specific number because of privacy concerns.

He did say Monday that all members of the coaching staff are fully vaccinated.

Training camps will open Tuesday. and the coronavirus pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day.

The Pacers already have lost backup guard Edmond Sumner, who had surgery last week to repair a torn Achilles tendon and will likely open the season without starting forward T.J. Warren who continues to recover from a stress fracture in his left foot that cost him most of last season.

“Hopefully, it will be weeks, not months,” Carlisle said. “It won’t be days.”

The Pacers preseason opens Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. The Pacers first home game of the preseason will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.