There are fears for Australian NBA star Johnny Furphy after he went down with a suspected serious knee injury during Indiana’s loss to Toronto on Monday.
Furphy landed awkwardly on his leg following a dunk attempt in the third quarter, falling to the floor in visible pain and eventually being helped to the locker room in a wheelchair.
The Pacers have described it as a “sore right leg” and remain hopeful, though there is definite cause for concern with the full extent of his injury still unknown.
“We’re not sure on Furphy’s situation,” coach Rick Carlisle told media after the game.
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“He’ll get testing tomorrow in New York and we’ll see where things are. We’re hoping it’s not that bad but we don’t know right now. Going to hope for the best,” Carlisle continued.
While there is potential the injury could be short-term, fears remain that it may be a more serious knee problem with major repercussions for the young rising star.
Johnny Furphy (Indiana Pacers) 09132024
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The 21-year-old has been enjoying a breakout season, starting 20 of the 34 games he has played despite being limited by a previous ankle and lower-leg injury that caused him to miss 14 straight matches.
This season, Furphy has averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting around 47 percent from the field, showing steady growth as a key contributor for the Pacers.
His numbers as a starter have been even better, with his intangible qualities giving Pacers fans plenty of reason to value the young Australian’s progress and impact on the team.
Indiana’s season has been a difficult one, with the team sitting at a 13-40 record following a string of injuries, including Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles in last year’s Finals.
Furphy’s injury adds to the mounting challenges for the Pacers as they attempt to navigate a season plagued by setbacks and test the depth of their roster.
The timing is particularly concerning for the Boomers, as it comes just 18 months before the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Furphy is expected to play a significant role for Australia.
For not just Indiana, but all of Australia, many will be hoping that Furphy’s injury is not as serious as it appeared.