Pacers Notes: Warren, Brogdon, LeVert, Turner

Pacers forward T.J. Warren is out of his walking boot, which coach coach Rick Carlisle described as “great news” to reporters.

Carlisle said Warren should be able to return in “weeks, but hopefully not months” after undergoing surgery in his left foot in January. He was able to appear in just four games last season due to multiple injuries.

It was a tough follow-up to his performance in the 2020 Orlando bubble, when Warren averaged 31 points and six assists.

When healthy, there is hope that Warren can provide a boost to a talented Indiana lineup that also includes the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Caris LeVert and rookie Chris Duarte.

More on Indiana

• Brogdon and LeVert started together for the first time in 21 games (or 188 days) in Wednesday’s win over the Knicks, as relayed by David Woods of the Indianapolis Star. Both players have had an assortment of injuries. Clearly, it worked out well and the Pacers are a different team with both players in there together.
• Injuries have hampered the Pacers perhaps more than any other time over the past season and a half, but Carlisle thinks everything can come together once everyone gets (and hopefully stays) healthy. “We’re starting to get some footing with health and our identity as a team,” he said.
• While Myles Turner has been scoring more, Carlisle said Turner’s contributions are actually coming in more ways than putting the ball in the basket. “Myles is really getting into a groove with how he fits into what we do as a team,” Carlisle said. “Don’t make a big deal just because he scores a bunch of points. That’s not what our team is about.”