What happened: Russell joins under a season-ending injury exception after Damiris Dantas underwent knee surgery. Russell played 20 games in 2025.
Why it matters: Indiana adds frontcourt depth while leading the Eastern Conference during its playoff push.
By the numbers: Indiana entered Aug. 10 at 18-10, first in the Eastern Conference.
What to watch: Russell's availability and rotation role bear watching before Tuesday's game against New York.