The San Antonio Spurs have recalled rookie guard Lonnie Walker IV from the G League.

Lonnie Walker IV has now re-joined the NBA team, at least until the Christmas break. It remains to be seen if he will be re-assigned to the team's G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.

Walker, the 18th overall pick in last years draft, averaged 14.8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in nine games with the Austin Spurs. The 6'5 guard hasn't played in an NBA game due to a torn meniscus that he suffered prior to the start of the season.

Walker has impressed in G League highlights, and the 20-year-old looks like he will be able to immediately contribute on an NBA level, especially on the defensive end.

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The Spurs have particularly struggled on defense and rank just 19th in defensive rating. This is in part due to a rash of injuries, the departure of one of the best defensive players in the game in Kawhi Leonard, and having the sixth oldest roster in the league.

Walker has the potential to inject some youth and defensive energy into the team. During his brief college career with the University of Miami, Walker averaged a steal and half a block per game, using his length to disrupt plays on the perimeter and bother shots in the paint.

Even after losing two of their key guards in Walker and Dejounte Murray in the preseason, the Spurs continue to plug along and are currently 18-16 — the ninth seed in the Western Conference.

With Walker's return, the Spurs could make a serious push to become one of the last playoff seeds and continue their streak of making the playoffs for a 22nd straight season.