Latest news with #LarryO'BrienTrophies
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jarace Walker injury update: Will Pacers forward play vs OKC Thunder in NBA Finals?
The Indiana Pacers have never won an NBA title. They've won three ABA titles (1970, 1972, 1973), but the team has no Larry O'Brien Trophies and only one Finals appearance (2000). They are a franchise starved for significance, dying to etch its name in history, and in 2025, they finally have a shot. After taking down the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers are just four wins away from achieving their first NBA championship. With young stars such as Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers certainly have the talent to put up a fight, but they may be going into the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder shorthanded. Advertisement In their conference-clinching Game 6 victory, second-year forward Jarace Walker suffered what looked like a serious ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Walker was unable to leave the court on his own and needed to be helped off by trainers. Walker has played a sizable role in the Pacers' trek through the East, contributing decent minutes in Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Here's the latest news on Walker's availability for the start of the NBA Finals. More: OKC Thunder among biggest betting favorites in NBA Finals history: What does history say? Cleveland Cavaliers forward Emoni Bates defends Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker in the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena. Jarace Walker injury update Per Dustin Dopriak of the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, Walker is "going to be out for a while" and is officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, meaning his earliest possible return would be for Game 3 on June 11 in Indianapolis. Advertisement Carlisle noted that Walker's ankle was still swollen. He claimed the forward is still using crutches today as part of his recovery. Carlisle ended his statement by emphasizing that Walker's return date will rely heavily on his progress in rehab. More: NBA Finals 2025: From Loud City to Pacers Nation, get to know OKC and Indianapolis How does Jarace Walker's injury impact Pacers? Although Walker has not been a central figure in the Pacers' gameplan, he has provided clutch minutes and solid defense off the bench. His absence certainly throws the Pacers' rotation for a loop just days before the Pacers' most important games in a quarter century. Advertisement Walker was one of the best defensive options the Pacers had on their bench. Given Oklahoma City's offensive versatility, the Pacers could be in serious trouble if another bench player does not step up and fill Walker's shoes. More: How original Paul George trade between OKC Thunder, Pacers created unlikely NBA Finals Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals schedule All times are Central This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jarace Walker injury update: Will Pacers forward play in NBA Finals?
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Latest injury update on Pacers forward Jarace Walker before NBA Finals
Latest injury update on Pacers forward Jarace Walker before NBA Finals Show Caption Hide Caption Pacer Fans Cheer Players Leaving Arena After Advancing to NBA Finals The Indiana Pacers reached the NBA Finals as they beat the New York Knicks 125-108 in game six of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday, May 31. Tyler Smith via Storyful The Indiana Pacers have never won an NBA title. They've won three ABA titles (1970, 1972, 1973), but the team has no Larry O'Brien Trophies and only one Finals appearance (2000). They are a franchise starved for significance, dying to etch its name in history, and in 2025, they finally have a shot. After taking down the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers are just four wins away from achieving their first NBA championship. With young stars such as Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers certainly have the talent to put up a fight, but they may be going into the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder shorthanded. In their conference-clinching Game 6 victory, second-year forward Jarace Walker suffered what looked like a serious ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Walker was unable to leave the court on his own and needed to be helped off by trainers. Walker has played a sizable role in the Pacers' trek through the East, contributing decent minutes in Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Here's the latest news on Walker's availability for the start of the NBA Finals. NBA Finals odds: What team has best shot to win championship in 2025? Jarace Walker injury update Per Dustin Dopriak of the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, Walker is "going to be out for a while" and is officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, meaning his earliest possible return would be for Game 3 on June 11 in Indianapolis. Carlisle noted that Walker's ankle was still swollen. He claimed the forward is still using crutches today as part of his recovery. Carlisle ended his statement by emphasizing that Walker's return date will rely heavily on his progress in rehab. How does Jarace Walker's injury impact Pacers? Although Walker has not been a central figure in the Pacers' gameplan, he has provided clutch minutes and solid defense off the bench. His absence certainly throws the Pacers' rotation for a loop just days before the Pacers' most important games in a quarter century. Walker was one of the best defensive options the Pacers had on their bench. Given Oklahoma City's offensive versatility, the Pacers could be in serious trouble if another bench player does not step up and fill Walker's shoes. NBA Finals schedule *-if necessary. All times Eastern. Game 1, June 5: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Game 2, June 8: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8 p.m. Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8 p.m. Game 3, June 11: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Game 4, June 13: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m. Game 5, June 16: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8:30 p.m.* Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8:30 p.m.* Game 6, June 19: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m.* Thunder at Pacers | ABC, 8:30 p.m.* Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, 8 p.m.* NBA playoff bracket 2025: Schedule, times, scores for conference finals
New York Times
08-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch Lakers at Celtics, the NBA's winningest franchises and 2025 title contenders
Luka Dončić, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are sizzling off an eight-game winning streak. The Boston Celtics, top-five on both ends of the floor, are looking like worthy title defenders. Our weekend's schedule crests with the NBA's two house families. The Celtics and the Lake Show have enough cumulative banners to fill an arena or make the world's coolest and most expensive blanket fort. Their antagonism traces league history and informs the sport's sacredness. Together, LA and Boston have won 45 percent of all the Larry O'Brien Trophies. Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Red Auerbach and those dynastic early Celtics vanquished Jerry West's Lakers in seven different Finals from 1959-69. Three of those series reached a Game 7. The two sides went at it again throughout the 1980s, the rivalry that singularly changed basketball. Larry Bird struck first in 1984's seven-game classic, then Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Showtime Lakers won in 1985 and '87. Boston's 'big three' wrestled the title away in 2008. Kobe Bryant got his fifth at the Celtics' expense (and because he passed the ball to Ron Artest). Advertisement The Luka Dončić trade gives this installment an instant punch and even more staying power. He just turned 26 years old. Jayson Tatum is 27, and Jaylen Brown is 28. This could be the start of something big. Of course, LeBron James carries his own mythology onto the parquet court. His 2012 Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals heroism is always worth a rewatch. Both teams are playing so well, especially on the defensive end. The Lakers are the current obsession of the sporting universe, and the Celtics are the NBA's reigning champions. Let the pleasantries begin. The Athletic's Jovan Buha on LA's Thursday night knockdown of the New York Knicks: 'JJ Redick identified three points of emphasis pregame: transition defense, defensive rebounding and containing Jalen Brunson. The Lakers went 0-for-3, allowing 17 fast-break points, 14 offensive rebounds and Brunson to eviscerate them for 39 points and 10 assists. 'But as they've done numerous times over the past two months, the Lakers found a way to win, beating New York 113-109 in overtime to improve to 40-21 and maintain their No. 2 spot in the Western Conference. They've won eight straight games and 20 of 24, the best record in the NBA over that stretch. ''Our guys, in what felt like a playoff game at times, really just gutted out a win,' Redick said.' Jay King on Boston making history while beating the Portland Trail Blazers: 'After enjoying a water bath from his teammates on the TD Garden court Wednesday night, Payton Pritchard heard an M-V-P chant as he walked through the Celtics tunnel. Pritchard had earned the cheers with a career-high 43 points but recognized he didn't make history by himself. So, before turning right to head for the Boston locker room, he paused briefly to embrace teammate Derrick White. With headphones on, White was still fulfilling part of his media duties with the Celtics radio broadcast. That didn't stop Pritchard from congratulating the other star of the night. 'Good job,' Pritchard said. 'Way to hoop.' Consider that the understatement of the night. 'The Celtics have had Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. Sam Jones and Tommy Heinsohn. John Havlicek and Dave Cowens. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Scores of Hall of Famers have walked through Boston, but Pritchard and White became the first Celtics teammates to score 40 points in the same game Wednesday night while carrying their team past the Trail Blazers 128-118.' Starting five of players to wear both jerseys (minimum 50 games with each franchise): Don Chaney, Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass would be with the bench mob. Shaquille O'Neal didn't hit the games minimum in the green and white. Same for Isaiah Thomas in the purple and gold. (Photo of LeBron James and Jayson Tatum: Harry How / Getty Images)
