When the 2025 playoffs began, the Indiana Pacers were an afterthought. Many media members believed that the winner of the Eastern Conference was the Cavaliers or Celtics. Even the Knicks were chosen before the Pacer.
Despite being overlooked, the Pacers remain true to the basketball brand and are struggling the 2025 playoffs. Last Saturday, Indiana punched tickets to the NBA Finals by beating the Knicks in six games. This is the first final of the franchise in 25 years. Ahead of Game 1 on Thursday night, Jarrace Walker is out with an ankle injury, and Tony Bradley (HIP) is suspicious.
The Pacers are on the road for Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals
The Pacers’ injuries preceded in Final Game 1 with Aaron Nesmith, Jailus Walker, Tony Bradley and Isaiah Jackson. https://t.co/wqvic1wdqt
– ipacers.com (@ipacersblog) June 5th, 2025
The beauty of the pacers over the past few seasons has been their depth. Indiana has stars in Tyreese Halliburton and Pascal Siakam, but the team also has quality talent up and down the roster. Head coach Rick Carlisle is not afraid to dig deep into his bench and use more than 10 players in postseason games. On Thursday evening, the Pacers are heading down their path towards Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
Two players are already listed as Indiana outings. These include Isaiah Jackson (Trapped Achilles) and Jalace Walker (Ankle). In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Walker suffered from an ankle sprain. He is expected to miss the first two games of the 2025 NBA Finals. Isaiah Jackson almost missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. He played five games for Indiana during the 2024-25 regular season.
Big Man Tony Bradley is doubtful to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. The Veteran Center suffered a hip injury in Game 5 of the ECF and did not play in Game 6. This season, Bradley’s first year against Indiana, was seventh in the NBA. He didn’t play in the NBA last season. When Rick Carlisle had to change the final series, Bradley stepped up to play long minutes in games 3 and 4. You need to check if the 27-year-old is available for Game 1.