Jarace Walker Rumors

Dustin Dopirak: Was still going through Tyrese Haliburton stuff and he said he will NOT be at the draft lottery (His emphasis) in May because he felt like he wasn't good luck the last time he went in 2023. The Pacers didn't get a top four pick that year in the Wembanyama draft, but got Jarace Walker.

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Tony East: Jarace Walker is out tonight, Rick Carlisle says. Pacers will have nine guys available.

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Tony East: Kobe Brown and Ben Sheppard won’t play tonight in Brooklyn, Pacers say. They’ll have 9 players available: Quenton Jackson, Taelon Peter, Ethan Thompson, Obi Toppin, Micah Porter, Jay Huff, Jalen Slawson, Jarace Walker, and Kam Jones.

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Tony East: Jarace Walker is back tonight and will play. Ben Sheppard is out.

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Dustin Dopirak: Pascal Siakam ruled out for Sunday’s game against Cleveland. Left ankle sprain the listed reason. Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell also out. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker questionable

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Indiana Pacers: Injury Update: Jarace Walker (concussion evaluation) will not return to tonight's game.

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Dustin Dopirak: PA guy says "Due to concussion protocol Jarace Walker is going to be looked at in the back." So concussion protocol is a pretty official term and I'm going to wait for Pacers PR to declare that he's actually IN protocol, but he's at least being looked at for that.

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Scott Agness: Aaron Nesmith won't play in Friday's back-to-back due to a right ankle sprain. Already been ruled out by the team, Rick Carlisle said. He called Jarace Walker's development "one of the victories this season."

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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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