Jarace Walker Rumors

Scott Agness: Jarace Walker (26pts) hit four big free throws late as the Pacers held on for a 117-114 win over the Thunder, who entered with an NBA-best 37-8 record. And just two home losses. Entertaining game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47pts. Andrew Nembhard had 27-7-11, Pascal Siakam with 21. Next: Mon. at ATL

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Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle says there's been "significant growth trajectory" in recent weeks from Jarace Walker. Said he's really liked his force, presence, etc.

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The growth is coming, Carlisle said Tuesday, because Walker is finally playing the way they've wanted him to play since he was drafted. "He's playing with force," Carlisle said. "He's playing with force at both ends. He's done a lot of good things defensively. He's rebounding the ball. Stepping into the right shots. As a third-year player, things are going to slow down as you progress in your career. Reads become more obvious. He's making good decisions."

Indianapolis Star

Walker has also become a more disciplined defender. As a rookie in particular he had a tendency to gamble to try for steals and those gambles could lead to him getting out of position and giving up easy buckets. He's consistently cut down on that and is learning that he can still get steals by simply playing solid, physical defense. He has 27 steals this year including eight in the last six games. "I'm definitely still fighting," Walker said. "I miss reaching -- a lot -- but just definitely staying solid is more important than getting a steal, just staying in front, staying in between my man and the ball. Definitely making a conscious effort of that this year. ... I feel like I'm in more lanes now than on-ball, so just being more conscious of where I'm at on the floor. Being in help positions but also seeing my man and just reading the offense as well."

Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker visited the @StVincentIN Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital to handout cookies and show appreciation to the hardworking nurses and staff 💙

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Tony East: Carlisle said he was "ready to tackle" Jarace Walker after a mistake he made on the first defensive play of the second half. Praised Mathurin for his defense tonight right before that. All of these words from him to say it is an ongoing task for the Pacers to improve on defense.

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Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle said he expects Jarace Walker and Johnny Furphy to be available tomorrow. Quenton Jackson is out, but Carlisle said he’s making progress and hopes it’s “days, not weeks” before he returns but acknowledged he’s kind of spitballing there.

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Dustin Dopirak: Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam apparently sitting this one out. Pacers five: Cameron Payne, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson. Thunder: Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Brooks Barnhizer, Ousmane Dieng.

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So far, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle likes the way Jarace Walker has approached the challenge. "It's difficult being a top-10 pick," Carlisle said after practice Wednesday. "You feel like you're supposed to go in there and be an impact guy. In our situation, his position was pretty crowded, so it took time. But he's learned and he's worked extremely hard and he's positioned himself to be a major factor on this team."

Indianapolis Star

But with two years under his belt he enters this season with a better sense of what he needs to work on. "I definitely got better with the gambles, just reaching out of passing lanes, reaching out of plays," Walker said. "I feel like I've done a better job of staying solid, staying in between my man and the ball. I always work on just being in the right spots off-ball, always being in help, always being conscious of, even if my man doesn't have the ball, there's still a job that needs to be done."

Indianapolis Star

Tony East: Jarace Walker is off crutches but unlikely to play in the NBA Finals, Rick Carlsile says.

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Tony East: Full quote on Walker: "He is doing better. He is off crutches and he is walking with a slight limp now. So it's very unlikely that he'll be able to play in this series. But he is doing better. It would be great if he was available because I do think he would help us."

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Tony East: Rick Carlisle on Jarace Walker: “he’s doing better but he’s not close to playing. He’s on one crutch, hopefully going to be off crutches in the next day or so… there’s a possibility he could get back.”

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Dustin Dopirak: Lots of stuff to write from the Pacers' availability today, but some notes. Jarace Walker is still on crutches. And he jumped in the media scrum briefly to ask Tyrese Haliburton a question, but then just asked him if he could get a bacon cheeseburger from Culver's.

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