Pacers Optimistic TJ Warren Closing In On Return

The Pacers are hoping small forward T.J. Warren can return from a foot injury by December or January, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Warren recently had a walking boot removed and that Warren should be able to return in “weeks, but hopefully not months” after undergoing surgery in his left foot in January 2020. 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.

Warren, 28, is 6-foot-8 and has averaged 19.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 71 appearances with the Pacers overall.

“The return of a scoring threat like Warren could change the fortunes of a team that is quite stagnant,” wrote Julian Rihm of Clutch Points. “The combination of defensive minded guards, versatile big men, and shotmaking players could push the Pacers over the edge, making them a top team in the Eastern Conference instead of a play-in tournament team.”

Added Nicolas Kyle Pring of Fansided: “Despite the Indiana Pacers’ abundance of talented wings, TJ Warren arguably remains their best one. Forget the Bubble narrative—Warren, even on his normal days, is an uber-efficient scorer who can give the team buckets in succession from any spot on the floor. In the 2019-20 season, he easily led the Pacers on scoring with 19.8 points per game on a mind-boggling 53.6 percent shooting from the field, including 40.3 percent on treys.”