Caris LeVert & T.J. Warren – Indiana Pacers
The injury bug has hit the Pacers hard over the years and it took out T.J. Warren last season, as Warren only played in four games before suffering a season-ending foot injury that required surgery. The multi-talented wing has not been cleared yet, but there is optimism within the Pacers organization that he will be back before 2022.
“I’ll be re-evaluated in 3 weeks,” Warren told the media. “[I] will eventually get on the court this season. Just not sure when.” Head coach Rick Carlisle also gave an update on T.J. Warren and said he hopes that Warren will be back in a matter of “weeks and not months.”
With the new season set to begin in less than three weeks now, it is very reasonable to believe that T.J. Warren is in danger of missing the first month of the regular season. As for Caris LeVert, it was reported on Tuesday morning that the shooting guard is dealing with a fracture in his back that will sideline him throughout training camp.
“Up until today I’ve been practicing and doing all that stuff,” LeVert told reporters. “This is pretty minor compared to all that I’ve been through. It’s something that isn’t too major, but it’s something that we need to pay attention to.”
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Now with two key components of their starting rotation out, all the weight of the Pacers now falls back on the shoulders of Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis.
If this team is going to live up to the hype of being a real threat in the Eastern Conference like they envision themselves to be, not only are they going to have to stay healthy, but Brogdon and Sabonis are going to need help.
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These two could not carry the Pacers into the playoffs last season and they surely will not be able to do so again this season, especially after the Eastern Conference improved a lot in the offseason. Indiana needs Warren and LeVert back as soon as possible, but both guys could very well end up missing Opening Night.
