Jarace Walker Injury Update From Rick Carlisle On The Fan
Jarace Walker Injury Update From Rick Carlisle On The Fan
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker will miss at least the first two games of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach Rick Carlisle confirmed via 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan on Monday.
Full conversation with Rick Carlisle – 8AM on Monday June 2nd:
The second-year player is sidelined by a sprained right ankle sustained during the Pacers’ decisive Game 6 victory over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Walker’s injury occurred early in the fourth quarter as he attempted to defend a drive by Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns.
A leap to contest the shot ended awkwardly, with Walker landing on the side of his foot.
The slow-motion replay of the incident revealed the severity of the turn, leaving the forward in visible pain.
Unable to continue, Walker had to be helped off the court by trainers and was later seen using crutches during the team’s championship celebration.
According to Carlisle, Walker is “going to be out for a while,” and is officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Finals.
The coach noted that the forward’s ankle remained swollen and that he is still reliant on crutches as part of his recovery.
While the day-to-day nature of the Finals schedule may provide time for treatment, Carlisle emphasized that return dates will rely heavily on progress made in rehabilitation.
The earliest possible return for Walker would be Game 3, scheduled for June 11 in Indianapolis.
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However, there’s no confirmed timeline yet, leaving questions about how significantly this injury could impact the Pacers’ rotation for their first Finals appearance in 25 years.
Although Walker has not been a central figure in the Pacers’ lineup, his energy and defensive contributions have been crucial at times during the postseason.
The No. 8 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft has seen increased activity in Indiana’s deep roster strategy, which relies on fresh legs and defensive intensity to wear down opponents.
During the Eastern Conference Finals, Walker averaged just shy of 10 minutes per game and contributed with his physical presence on defense.
Despite limited minutes in Game 6 before the injury, Walker managed to make a key defensive stop and a basket before his exit.
Without Walker, the Pacers face the challenge of adjusting their rotation in a series against one of the NBA’s most defensively adept teams, led by Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Walker’s absence increases the reliance on other bench players to step up, particularly on the defensive end.
Games 1 and 2 of the Finals take place in Oklahoma City on Thursday, June 5, and Sunday, June 8. While these matchups are expected to be tough, Carlisle and the Pacers are hopeful that rest and treatment will enable Walker’s quick return.
The forward is undergoing continuous evaluation, with the hopes that swelling subsides to allow for mobility exercises sooner rather than later.
