Indiana guard Chris Duarte is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
Duarte, an All-Rookie team choice a year ago, suffered the injury in the Pacers' 101-99 victory over Miami on Friday night.
Indiana (4-5) has had surprising early success around its two star young guards, Tyrese Haliburton and rookie Bennedict Mathurin. Veteran guard TJ McConnell will likely play a larger role in Duarte's absence.
Duarte, who has averaged 8.9 points in 19.7 minutes this season, had a career-high 30 points in a Monday victory over Brooklyn. Duarte averaged 13.1 points a season ago, sixth-best among rookies, according to ESPN Stats & Information.