The Indiana Pacers and Pacers’ fans received encouraging news yesterday. According to Shams Charania of the Atheltic, Pacers forward TJ Warren is expected to return to action in late December or early January. Warren’s last medical scan showed good signs and he was able to get out of the walking boot he has been in.
Warren missed all but four games last season due to a stress fracture in his left foot. In those four games, Warren averaged 15.5 points on 56 percent True Shooting, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game(pretty dang good for someone playing on an injured foot).
TJ Warren’s return to the Indiana Pacers is slowly becoming a reality, but some patience may be required with the forward.
This news comes at a time where the Indiana Pacers are still trying to find their footing in the young NBA season. The 6-8 Pacers started the season off with Caris LeVert missing the first six games and Malcolm Brogdon has already missed 5 games. With the news of TJ Warren finally being able to come back, the hope of seeing the starting five playing together is evolving from a dream to a reality.
Once TJ Warren comes back some patience may be required. We all will have to remember that it’s going to be around a year since Warren has last played in an NBA game. It would only be natural to see some rust once he returns to the court. It’s not about how he starts off, but getting Warren close enough to 100 percent come playoff time.
This news is currently hopeful for an Indiana Pacers team that has been devastated by injuries over the past few seasons. Finally, the reality of having all five starters healthy and playing together is inching closer by the day. I think I speak for all of Pacers Nation when I say I’m beyond excited to finally see this core of players finally be on the court together.