TJ Warren – Indiana Pacers
Injury: Foot Surgery – Expected Return: No Timetable, Possibly Late-November (November 3, 2022)
For years now, injuries have really plagued the Indiana Pacers’ chances to be special in the Eastern Conference and they were once again hit hard by injuries last season. Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, and Domantas Sabonis all missed time here and there due to injuries and TJ Warren only appeared in four games last season due to a foot injury that required surgery.
On Tuesday, TJ. Warren had a scan done on his injured left foot and all indications are pointing in the right direction for his return to action soon. However, head coach Rick Carlisle still believes that Warren is a few weeks away from returning.
Carlisle did state that the scan was “great news” for the team that TJ Warren is out of the walking boot. For a Pacers team that started the new season losing six of their first seven games and has gone on to win two straight since they can use all the help, they can get right now.
Brogdon and Sabonis have continued to be two high-level threats and rookie Chris Duarte has also stepped up big-time for this team early on in the year, but the return of TJ Warren could really change the trajectory of this season in a positive way for the Pacers.
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Not too long ago in the NBA Bubble, TJ Warren put on a show for the Pacers, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 10 games down in Orlando. He was named the MVP of the NBA’s resumption of play and entered the 2020-21 season with heavy expectations to possibly be one of the league’s most improved players.
Ultimately, his foot injury derailed any chances of success during the season for TJ Warren and the Pacers, but he really does need to return and play well for this team. Not only do the Pacers need him to be the impactful two-way wing they brought him in to be, but Warren is in the final year of his contract and will need to prove that he is a high-level talent in order to capitalize on his next contract in the league.
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All indications point to TJ Warren possibly being ready to go by late November, but seeing as he has not had an offseason to prepare for this season, the Pacers will likely be very cautious with their approach to bringing the talented wing-back.
