{"id":105778,"date":"2024-11-08T22:53:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-09T03:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=105778"},"modified":"2024-11-08T22:53:18","modified_gmt":"2024-11-09T03:53:18","slug":"indiana-pacers-rumors-jarace-walkers-andrew-nembhard-t-j-mcconnell-and-aaron-nesmith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/08\/indiana-pacers-rumors-jarace-walkers-andrew-nembhard-t-j-mcconnell-and-aaron-nesmith\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Pacers Rumors: Jarace Walker’s Increased Role, and When Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Aaron Nesmith Will Return From Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite starting slow, the Indiana Pacers<\/a> have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference<\/a>. A big reason the Pacers<\/a> had won two straight and were 4-4 into Friday’s contest against Charlotte<\/a> was their depth, as they are down three rotational players.<\/p>\n

Indiana<\/a> had one of the best reserve units last season. The Pacers had 16 players who made at least 18 appearances and saw at least 10 minutes a contest. This year, coach Rick Carlisle<\/a> has already thrown 16 players into the fray, with\u00a011 seeing at least 11 minutes a game.<\/p>\n

Due to various injuries, 11 players have also seen action in at least five games. As a result, some players have taken advantage of this extra early playing time and demonstrated that they could be contributors even when the squad is full. Jarace Walker,<\/a> who played in just 33 contests as a rookie, is one such player, according to IndyStar’s Dustin Dopirak<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Indiana Pacers Rumors: 2023 Draft Pick Making Real Case To Earn Regular Minutes For First Time, Interest In 35-Year-old Veteran To Fill Hole At Center, And Other Injury Concerns<\/h2>\n

Walker’s playing time has been sporadic thus far. But the No. 8 overall pick<\/a> in 2023 has seen an uptick in court time over the last three games. He rebounded the ball well against Dallas<\/a> on Monday and then produced a career game against Orlando<\/a> on Wednesday, totaling 17 points on 6 of 6 shooting, including 3 of 3 from the 3-point line. He also contributed a season-high six rebounds, two steals, and one block against the Magic in 23 minutes.<\/p>\n

“Jarace Walker tonight, this was certainly a tremendous performance by him,” Carlisle said in his post-game press conference. “He earned all the minutes. Shot-making was great. He rebounded and defended their best players. Had a big block at the end of one quarter that was a real momentum play. There’s nothing like heat-of-the-moment, big-time intensity to really learn what it’s all about, and he really responded great.”<\/p>\n

Jarace Walker Improvement<\/h3>\n

Walker has scored in double figures twice this season. More importantly, the 21-year-old forward has been very efficient and improved in every facet over last year. He is also versatile enough to play all three frontcourt positions, though he is best suited for the three and four.<\/p>\n