INDIANAPOLIS -- Jarace Walker saw Chicago's Patrick Williams shoot and he neither boxed out a crashing rebounder nor chased down the loose ball when it hit off the rim and headed toward the sideline. Bulls guard Jevon Carter grabbed the ball and hit a 3-pointer in Walker's face.

That was enough for Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to pull Walker with 1:55 to play in Friday's first quarter and keep him on the bench until the final minutes of the Pacers' win once the game was decided. When asked about Walker on Monday and his progress, Carlisle simply said, "He'll be ready tonight."

For the most part on Monday, Walker was. The third-year wing and No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft has found it difficult throughout his career to maintain a steady role and has admittedly struggled with consi

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