Isaiah Jackson's stock may have been dropping with the Indiana Pacers this season. He began the year as the team's starting center and has since been demoted to a backup once again following the emergence of Jay Huff. However, Jackson had a fantastic performance on Sunday and proved that he can take his game up another level.
Isaiah Jackson is still a real asset for the Pacers
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In a loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday, the Michigan native recorded an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double in 23 minutes off the bench. Additionally, he recorded two blocks.
Jackson had mostly been solid to begin the season. And given that he was just a year removed from tearing his Achilles, this was a bit of a promising sign. In his first 18 games before moving to the bench, Jackson averaged 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 57.4% from the floor in 19.3 minutes.
Furthermore, he was still playing with a lot of the same energy he had been known for, and it looked like [his athleticism didn't go anywhere.](https://8points9seconds.com/tyrese-haliburton-gets-much-needed-optimism-from-isaiah-jackson-comeback)
However, Jackson being solid was part of the problem. He was taking on the biggest role of his career to begin the season as Indiana's starting center, and he was essentially the leading center of the team's committee. Though he was fine, many were hoping for the 23-year-old to elevate his game and prove that he is more than just a backup.
So far, that hasn't exactly happened, and he's seemingly lost his spot to Jay Huff, who has played incredibly over the last month.
Still, Sunday's game serves as a big reminder to the Pacers: Jackson is still an asset, not an afterthought.
Jackson is still young and has a lot of upside. He has plenty of room to grow, and there is a lot to like about his game and what he brings to the table. His ceiling may [just be a backup center](https://8points9seconds.com/isaiah-jackson-long-term-role-pacers) on a championship-caliber team at best, but he can still step his game up at times, which he did against Washington.
Even though he was coming off the bench, Sunday's performance was one of Jackson's best of the season so far. His 12 rebounds were also a season-high.
The Pacers needed to see that Jackson can still contribute and develop, and moving forward, that's exactly what they're going to keep an eye on. Nobody was giving up on Jackson, especially because he wasn't even playing bad basketball. But if this game was any indication, then maybe the Kentucky alum's ceiling is higher than many thought.