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Michael Scotto: Just In: The Indiana Pacers have exercised their team option on Tony Bradley, which is worth $2.94 million non-guaranteed, league sources told @hoopshype .
The 27-year-old began the Eastern Conference finals as the backup center, but poor showings in Games 1 and 2 led to him being benched in Games 3 and 4 in favor of Tony Bradley, who initially joined the Pacers on a 10-day contract in March. It wasn’t until Bradley strained his hip in Game 5 that Bryant regained his spot in the rotation and gave the Pacers a jolt in Game 6. Siakam called Bryant’s resurgent performance a reward from “the basketball Gods.” Carlisle credited Bryant’s “indomitable spirit.” Turner simply thanked his teammate for his professionalism. “Man, I’ve been playing against Thomas since high school,” Turner said. “He’s always had that enthusiasm, that energy and that skill. … And he didn’t complain. He didn’t pout. If you watch any film, bro, he’s the first one up on the bench (cheering), first one gassing us up, talking to us and getting us right. Me going down in foul trouble, he got his opportunity (Saturday) and he didn’t look back.”
Michael Scotto: Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley is receiving treatment on his injured hip and will be a game-time decision for Game 6 against the New York Knicks, league sources told @hoopshype .
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Bradley only had played 17 minutes of mop-up duty in four appearances in the postseason, but he banged bodies a few times and grabbed a couple of rebounds with a positive rating of plus-1 in eight minutes — four each in the second and third quarters — in the Pacers’ 114-109 victory in Game 2 at the Garden. “Tony Bradley hasn’t played in the series, but he’s one of our better rebounders,” Carlisle said after the game. “We elected to go with him to spell Myles [Turner] a little bit. We’re a team that needs everybody. That’s how we’ve got to play.”
“Shoutout to Tony Bradley. Tony Bradley was huge,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “He came in for us and really got thrown in with our group that has been together for so long. Tony is just an awesome guy and contributes in so many different ways. “When we’re doing our scout through all these series, he’s had to be the scout center. There’s been times when he gets thrown in our first group to take some of Myles’ reps when guys are going through things or are a little banged up or whatever the case may be. It’s just so special to see what our group is doing.”
Scott Agness: Myles Turner (illness) and Bennedict Mathurin (left calf soreness) have been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday v Hornets. Tony Bradley (illness) is out. No LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, Brandon Miller or Grant Williams for CHA.
Keith Smith: Tony Bradley's new deal with the Indiana Pacers is a two-year deal with a team option for 2025-26, a league source told @spotrac.com .
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Scott Agness: Tony Bradley’s 10-day contract with the Pacers is complete. He appeared briefly in four of six games; the only two he didn’t? The two in Atlanta, where he’s spent the season with their G League affiliate.
Scott Agness: Pacers have signed 6-11 center Tony Bradley to a 10-day contract. He’s been playing for the Hawks’ G League team, College Park, this season. He’s was a first-round pick in 2017 after winning a NCAA title at UNC. This gives him a chance at being the Pacers’ third big.
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