The Indiana Pacers won their most games since 2014, and now they’re carrying the momentum into the postseason as they square off with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Stuck in a 2-2 battle, the Pacers have gone back and forth, winning every other game so far.
Yet, now they’ll have to soldier on without Jarace Walker for the rest of the series. Walker is still dealing with the ankle sprain he suffered in the final game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
While Walker has been able to ditch the crutches, he is still walking with a bit of a limp. Though Walker is improving, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says he is unlikely to contribute in the remainder of the NBA Finals.
Walker, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 15.8 minutes per game during the regular season, making 75 appearances. His minutes had been trending down in the postseason prior to his injury, averaging 9.8 MPG. Yet, it’s common for coaches to slightly shrink their rotation during the postseason, and Walker’s situation is no different.
Still just 21 years old, Walker will have to hope he gets another opportunity to play in the NBA Finals in future seasons. Though, if the Pacers manage to win it all this year, Walker would still receive a championship ring for helping them get there.
Related: Analyst: Indiana Pacers had Eastern Conference’s easiest path to NBA Finals in league history
Sports fan since birth. I am also passionate about cars, music, and anything funny. Minnesotan, born and raised. Maybe ... More about Andrew Buller-Russ