The Indiana Pacers are two wins away from capturing their first NBA title, but they may have to finish the job without promising young forward Jarace Walker. With the Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder knotted at two games apiece, head coach Rick Carlisle offered a sobering update on Walker’s injury status that dims hopes of a return.
Walker, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been sidelined since suffering a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of Indiana’s Game 6 win over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. He was seen on crutches after the game and has not suited up since.
Originally ruled out for the first two games of the Finals, the 21-year-old remains unavailable as the series progresses. Carlisle’s latest comments suggest that Walker’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, leaving his potential Finals debut in serious doubt.
Rick Carlisle Says Jarace Walker Is ‘Unlikely’ to Return During NBA Finals
At Sunday’s media availability session, Carlisle was asked how Walker was doing and whether he would be able to participate in practice. The veteran coach noted that while Walker is progressing, he is a long way away from returning, with a maximum of three games remaining.
“He is doing better,” Carlisle said. “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.”
Carlisle: Jarace Walker (ankle) unlikely to return during Finals.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 15, 2025
Carlisle added that the switchable sophomore forward, who’s already been ruled out for Monday’s critical Game 5, could’ve been a difference-maker against the larger Thunder.
“It would be great if he was available because I do think he would help us,” Carlisle said.
Through 12 playoff games in 2025, Walker averaged 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.7 3-pointers per game, shooting 38.2% from the field, including 40.0% from long distance. He has played just 9.8 minutes a night, moving in and out of Carlisle’s rotation when healthy, depending on the matchup.
Without Walker as depth insurance, backup forward Obi Toppin’s two-way contributions have been of heightened importance for Indiana.
Carlisle on Pacers Overcoming Mental Toll of Game 4 NBA Finals Collapse
Carlisle also reflected on Indiana’s squandering a 10-point third-quarter lead in Game 4 after getting outscored 31-17 by OKC in the final frame. According to the 2011 championship-winning coach, such letdowns can sometimes be expected in competitive postseason clashes.
“Well, I mean, tough losses are a part of a playoff series,” Carlisle said. “It’s just if this was easy, they would be pulling people off the street to play in the NBA Finals and coach and do what you guys are doing.”
Carlisle then provided assurance that his Walker-less squad would make the necessary adjustments and bounce back.
“But you look at it, you take it for what it is, and it becomes pretty clear the things that you need to do to be better,” Carlisle said. “Our job as a staff is to take those things, simplify them, communicate to them in a simple, concise way so we can do better.”
Game 5 tips off Monday at Paycom Center, where Indiana stunned Oklahoma City in the series opener. With Walker still sidelined, the Pacers will aim to maintain their perfect bounce-back record in these playoffs and move one step closer to a historic first NBA championship.