Pacers’ Jarace Walker Doubtful for NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker is questionable for the NBA Finals due to a right ankle injury sustained during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.Walker was seen using crutches after the Pacers’ 125-108 victory on Saturday night. Coach Rick Carlisle expressed uncertainty about the player’s availability for the final series.
The player will have four full days to recover before Game 1, scheduled for Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
He’s young, so that’s good. I didn’t see a replay, so I don’t know how much, how far it twisted, how much weight was on it. But when a guy goes down and stays down like that, you’re always holding your breath.
Rick Carlisle
Walker was injured at the beginning of the last quarter while defending a drive. His right leg appeared to bend awkwardly, and he remained on the floor for two more possessions before limping off the court. He needed the help of two trainers to leave the court and went directly to the locker room.
The player did not return to the game. Although he didn’t have much participation in the series against the Knicks, he made his only shot on Saturday, finishing with two points in seven minutes. He was the Pacers’ first pick in the 2023 draft, number 8 overall.
