The Indiana Pacers hardly looked like a No. 4 seed after getting swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Then again, Indiana was without its best player.
All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis did not play for the Pacers during the NBA restart due to a foot injury. Sabonis did what he could to test out the foot ahead of the playoffs, but was ultimately ruled out.
However, the 24-year-old is good to go for the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Sabonis said he has “no limitations” with his foot, per J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star.
Sabonis says he has no limitations because of his foot that kept him out of the restart #Pacers
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) December 1, 2020
This is good news for the Pacers, a team that–despite a myriad of rumors–mostly stood pat this offseason.
Sabonis has emerged as one of the best bigs in basketball after he was traded to Indiana in the Paul George deal ahead of the 2017-18 season. The former Gonzaga product has been more productive and versatile in each of the past three seasons, with 2019-20 being his finest to date.
Sabonis averaged 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field. He was one of the best playmakers in the league diving to the rim, capable of finishing through contact or feeding teammates for open looks. The 24-year-old also grew more comfortable on the ball and taking opponents off the dribble.
Indiana's future is somewhat unclear, considering Victor Oladipo is on an expiring contract and Myles Turner's name has been tossed about in trade rumors.
However, the Pacers will hope for continued progression from Sabonis, who looks more and more like a franchise centerpiece.
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