After initially being listed as questionable, veteran guard T.J. McConnell was upgraded to available ahead of Saturday’s contest vs. Denver in Mexico City, the Pacers announced (via Twitter).

McConnell missed all of the preseason and the first nine games of the regular season with a right hamstring strain. The 34-year-old has been a key reserve for Indiana for several years — he’s in his eighth season with the Pacers.

Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (left calf contusion) was also upgraded from questionable to available on Saturday.

Here’s more on the Pacers:

• Addressing the media on Friday, head coach Rick Carlisle said star guard Tyrese Haliburton was unable to make the trip to Mexico as he continues to receive treatment for his left hamstring strain, per sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson (Twitter links). “Unfortunately, (Tyrese) is not able to be here. He sends his regards to Mexico,” Carlisle said. “He is very disappointed he couldn’t make it but it is better for his rehab to stay at home, to be in the hyperbaric (chamber), and do all the treatments.” Carlisle added that he’s hopeful Haliburton “will be back very soon.” However, on Saturday Carlisle there’s no timetable for Haliburton’s return, tweets Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “He’s making great progress. I don’t know a timetable. … The timetable is uncertain,” Carlisle said.
• With Ben Sheppard likely to miss most — if not all — of the season following a full repair of his torn left meniscus, Tony East of Forbes wonders if the Pacers might be forced to trade the fourth-year wing ahead of the February deadline. As East writes, the Pacers have been hit hard by the injury bug this fall and carrying two players with long-term injuries (Johnny Furphy is recovering from a torn ACL) could be a non-starter for a team with championship aspirations. Sheppard would be a restricted free agent next summer if he’s given a $8MM qualifying offer.
• The Pacers can now sign a free agent to fill their 15th roster spot without surpassing their first-apron hard cap, according to East of Forbes. But should they actually add a 15th player on a minimum-salary deal? Waiting would be the ideal choice, since it would give Indiana more financial flexibility. However, if the Pacers are faced with any additional extended absences, it might make sense to fill that roster opening in the short term, East notes, since it could make them eligible for a hardship exception.