19 articles
IND • Forward • #5
7 days ago
Walker has been in the starting lineup for the shorthanded Pacers, but he has struggled to get shots to fall. However, he had one of his best offensive performances of the season in this one. He matched his season-high for assists and had one of his more efficient shooting nights of the year. Walker is currently rostered in just 16 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but his spot in the starting unit should be safe.
IND • Forward • #5
9 days ago
Walker exited Saturday’s game briefly due to a sore left foot. The good news is that he wasn’t out for long, checking back into the contest late in the second quarter. Given the Pacers’ many injuries, Walker is worth rostering as long as he remains in the starting lineup.
Source: Alex Golden
IND • Forward • #5
9 days ago
Another injury is the last thing the Pacers needed. Walker exited Saturday’s game with a sore left foot and is questionable to return. Having Johnny Furphy back in the rotation will help account for his absence, as will Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. If Walker has to miss time, Furphy would be worth targeting in deep leagues.
Source: Jeremiah Johnson
IND • Forward • #5
10 days ago
Two days removed from scoring 20 points in a loss to the Mavericks, Walker pumped in 17 more against the Hawks on Friday. While the circumstances are suboptimal, the third-year forward is in a spot where he can provide consistent fantasy value. Before Friday’s game, the Pacers announced that Obi Toppin (foot) will be out until February, joining the team’s lengthy injury list. Walker’s only rostered in 13 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is too low given the current state of Indiana’s roster. Add him before the Pacers host the Warriors on Saturday.
IND • Forward • #5
12 days ago
While he shot a respectable 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, Walker’s inability to finish in the paint torpedoed his overall field-goal percentage. Shooting 1-of-9 on two-pointers, the third-year forward was 0-of-7 in the paint. The good news for those who streamed Walker out of necessity was that his overall stat line justified that decision. The Pacers end the week with a Friday/Saturday back-to-back, so hold onto Walker if you have him.
IND • Forward • #5
12 days ago
Due to injuries, the Pacers will roll out their fourth different starting lineup in as many games. Walker is the newcomer on Wednesday, bumping Jay Huff to the bench. Walker is worth streaming in this spot, as the Pacers are without eight players due to injury.
Source: Scott Agness
IND • Forward • #5
30 days ago
Walker had another productive outing, and his preseason play has been solid thus far. He’s unlikely to see a major leap in playing time in Year 3, but fantasy managers in deep leagues could stash him at the end of the bench in case he gets some additional opportunities.
IND • Forward • #5
about 1 month ago
During his first two years in the league, Walker hasn’t made the impact that most teams hope to get out of a player when they select him in the top ten. However, his first preseason game got off to a decent start, though he is still playing a reserve role. That isn’t likely to change with Pascal Siakam in town, which limits his redraft upside, but he’s still worth stashing in dynasty leagues.
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
Injured during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Walker has not appeared in a game since. According to Carlisle, the second-year forward is no longer using crutches but is still walking with a slight limp. Due to Indiana’s depth, Walker’s absence has not significantly impacted the team’s approach to this series. Obi Toppin was already the primary backup to Pascal Siakam, so his role remains unchanged.
Source: Dan Devine
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
Injured during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Walker has not appeared in a game since. According to Carlisle, the second-year forward is no longer using crutches but is still walking with a slight limp. Due to Indiana’s depth, Walker’s absence has not significantly impacted the team’s approach to this series. Obi Toppin was already the primary backup to Pascal Siakam, so his role remains unchanged.
Source: Dan Devine
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said ahead of Sunday’s Game 2 that Walker was “not close” to returning, so Tuesday’s update is unsurprising. Obi Toppin has been Pascal Siakam’s primary backup throughout the season, but was ineffective in 19 minutes in Indiana’s Game 2 defeat. He’ll hold onto the role, also seeing a little time at the center position when the Pacers decide to go small.
Source: NBA Injury Report
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
Walker injured his right ankle during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals and was already ruled out for the first two games of the NBA Finals. Based on Carlisle’s comments during his availability ahead of Sunday’s Game 2, the Pacers will be without their forward for the foreseeable future. Walker is still using one crutch to move around, but he may be able to ditch the apparatus in the “next day or so.” Walker’s continued absence does not significantly impact Indiana’s rotation, even with Carlisle’s willingness to go deep into his bench. Obi Toppin will continue to play most of the backup power forward minutes.
Source: Dan Devine
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.
Source: Alex Golden
IND • Forward • #5
5 months ago
The Pacers sealed their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000 on Saturday, defeating the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series. The lone negative was the right ankle injury suffered by Walker, who landed awkwardly during the fourth quarter. The second-year forward required assistance back to the locker room and did not return. During his postgame availability, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he was unsure what Walker’s status for the NBA Finals would be. Indiana has the depth to withstand Walker’s absence if he cannot play, but this would leave Carlisle with one less potential option to call on.
Source: ESPN
IND • Forward • #5
7 months ago
With the Pacers resting all five starters, Walker could start the team’s final home game of the regular season. The second-year forward has shown flashes of his potential throughout the season, and Friday was another of those instances. Unfortunately for Walker and dynasty league managers who have him rostered, the Pacers’ depth has capped his ceiling significantly. Indiana is locked into the four-seed in the East, so Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers may be another opportunity for Walker to start.
IND • Forward • #5
8 months ago
Walker started and played 35 minutes in Monday’s overtime win over the Timberwolves, as the Pacers were down four starters. The second-year forward is dealing with a sprained right ankle and is not guaranteed to be available on Wednesday. With Aaron Nesmith available, Walker will likely come off the bench if he’s allowed to play against the Mavericks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
IND • Forward • #5
8 months ago
The Pacers were without their entire frontcourt for Monday’s game, so Walker was able to make his second start in four games. The second-year forward was solid in his 35 minutes on the court, but fantasy managers likely kept their expectations in check. Thomas Bryant was another fill-in, and he finished Monday’s victory with 10 points, seven rebounds, one steal, two blocks and one three-pointer in 33 minutes. The fantasy values of Bryant and Walker moving forward depend on the availability of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner; they’re only worth the risk if the veteran starters remain out.
IND • Forward • #5
8 months ago
With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, Walker slid into the starting lineup for the second time this season and provided Indiana a taller starting lineup. It was also a great opportunity for him as a former top ten pick to make dynasty managers feel comfortable with his development. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take advantage of the situation. Walker has had some productive games this season, but his other start, which came in November, was also disappointing. He’s only 21 years old, but he needs to show some sort of progression at some point for dynasty managers to continue to value him highly.
IND • Forward • #5
8 months ago
Walker will make his second start of the season on Thursday. Tyrese Haliburton (hip) is sidelined, which will allow Andrew Nembhard to take on the primary ball handling duties. Walker hasn’t had much of an opportunity this season, but this is a great chance to showcase his development.
Source: Tony East