Indiana Pacers: Caris LeVert officially set to return Saturday

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Friday morning that Caris LeVert will make his Indiana Pacers debut vs. Phoenix on Saturday. After a long wait, the recently-traded guard will finally suit up for his new team.

LeVert, 26, was traded to Indiana on Jan. 13 as a part of the James Harden blockbuster. He’s been participating in practice recently, and Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren hinted at a potential return on the Pacers’ upcoming road trip.

After undergoing surgery on Jan. 25 to remove a cancerous mass on his kidney, Indiana Pacers’ guard Caris LeVert is scheduled to make his team debut Saturday night against Phoenix.

According to head coach Nate Bjorkgren, LeVert has been trending in the right direction and is back in practice.

"“Caris LeVert played in practice today. He’s getting closer and closer, it won’t be too much longer,” Coach Bjorkgren said on Thursday."

The fifth-year guard out of Michigan will bring a much-needed scoring punch to the Pacers’ offense. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis have had to carry a heavy offensive load in the first half of the season, and that’s lead to problems in close games late. Indiana is 9-12 in “clutch” situations and has a 99 offensive rating in those situations, which is the 27th mark in the league.

LeVert can fill it up. He was averaging nearly 24 points per 36 minutes with Brooklyn this season and has had monster scoring nights in the past.

The hope is that LeVert will continue to blossom as he slides into a more established role in Indiana. While he had success with the Nets, he struggled to get consistent opportunities in the starting lineup and often had to play alongside other stars and primary scorers.

On a depleted Nets roster in the 2020 NBA Restart in the bubble, LeVert shined. A team expected to struggle without the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, and others found surprising success and secured the No.7 seed in the East, partially due to LeVert’s efforts as the go-to-guy.

In 10 games he averaged over 23 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per contest.

The journey back from a cancerous mass was nearly two months, and no matter how he performs, it will be inspiring to see LeVert back on the court in such a short time.

"“Caris LeVert played in practice today. He’s getting closer and closer, it won’t be too much longer,” Bjorkgren said on Thursday."

When he suits up on Saturday, it will certainly be a monumental moment for himself and the Pacers.