Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren is expected to play in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat on Tuesday, according to Ethan Sears of the Indianapolis Star.
Warren missed the Pacers' last two seeding games of the regular season due to plantar fasciitis, but he practiced Sunday. The 26-year-old addressed his injury:
“I’m just taking care of it every day,” Warren said. “Anybody who’s familiar with plantar fasciitis, it’s pretty tough but the trainers have been doing a good job of getting me up for treatment and just being proactive with it. I’m gonna be good either way. I’m gonna be ready.”
Meanwhile, there's still no timetable for the return of Domantas Sabonis. The Pacers' All-Star big man is also dealing with plantar fasciitis, but his case is more severe. He left the bubble in order to rehab and is still not in Orlando.
Not having Sabonis to start the playoffs is tough for Indiana, but it's great news that Warren should be good to go. The Pacers forward has been a revelation in the bubble, making the All-Bubble First Team by averaging 31.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in six games.
Plenty of people will have their eyes on Warren when he goes up against Jimmy Butler and the Heat. Warren and Butler beefed earlier this season, though the Heat star claims that's all in the past. That may be true, but when those competitive juices start flowing during the playoffs, don't be surprised if tensions rise to the forefront.
Warren averaged 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on the season. Sabonis put up 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game before his injury knocked him out of commission.
The Pacers finished this season with a 45-28 record, good for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
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