Walker notched eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt), seven assists, four rebounds and a steal in 29 minutes in Monday’s 133-116 win over the Clippers.
Walker had been left out of the rotation in both Pacers‘ of the last two games, but with Aaron Nesmith (knee) out Monday, Indiana was able to open up some major minutes on the second unit for the rookie. Head coach Rick Carlisle probably didn’t plan on giving Walker such a big role on the night, but the 20-year-old earned his minutes by capitalizing on his open look and collapsing the defense as a facilitator . Nesmith could be back in action for Wednesday’s game in Chicago to bring the Pacers back to full strength, but Walker might have shown enough time Monday to get minutes at the expense of Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith or Doug McDermott.
