Pacers center Domantas Sabonis returned to action Friday at Oklahoma City, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files tweets. Sabonis put up 24 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two blocks in Indiana’s 113-110 overtime victory. Sabonis missed four games with a sprained left ankle suffered Jan. 19 against the Lakers. We noted earlier this week that a weekend return was a possibility.
The two-time All-Star is having another strong season for Indiana, putting up 19.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest on .577/.327/.744 shooting through 44 games (34.9 minutes).
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Bulls guard Lonzo Ball had successful knee surgery to repair his torn meniscus, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. If he returns within the projected six-to-eight week recovery period, Ball could be back in mid-to-late March.
- Two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic is having a disappointing individual season for Chicago, and James L. Jackson of FiveThirtyEight writes that the banged-up Bulls need the version of Vucevic they traded for last year. Vucevic is shooting just 33% from deep after shooting 40% last season, and his 49% mark on two-pointers is his lowest since 2016/17.
- Pacers wing Justin Holiday is unvaccinated against COVID-19 and plans to remain that way, which could limit his appeal on the trade market somewhat because certain NBA cities have vaccine mandates, as James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star relays (via Twitter).
- Second-year Pistons center Isaiah Stewart is a meticulous student of the game, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Stewart has recorded notes in a binder for every game he’s played in his young career, frequently watching film to monitor his progress. He said not afraid to ask questions to improve his game. “Growing up, I’ve just always asked questions,” Stewart said. “I want to learn more. I know I don’t know it all. If there’s something I don’t see or understand, I’m definitely going to ask instead of acting like I know it all. Bottom line: I want to learn.”
Oh man Sabonis is back and Pacers beat OKC in overtime? Watch out East…
Watch out they’re gonna take down the wizards next.
Lol
Take any other team and put their entire starting 5 and their 6th man on the IR and what are you left with. I think all of the G league and bench guys they’re rolling out there are doing as well as can be expected.
i like vuc and what he brings to the squad. it’s unfortunately a diminished role for him but also a perfect role at the same time. i hope we get a defensive center + a 3 point shooter for the bench
I think it is amusing that apparently Sabonis is having “another strong season”, yet Vucevich, whose numbers are almost identical, apparently “is having a disappointing” season.
Sabonis is average 3 more points a game .5 a rebound and 1.5 more assists on far higher shooting percentages thats not an identical season
That is a marginal differential, especially when you consider the relative position of the teams. Sabonis has had many more minutes of meaningless stat padding. He is a good player but imho overrated. Vucevich is having a ‘disappointing’ season if you compare stats of this, winning, team with his prior stats on perennially poor teams.
Pacers center Domantas Sabonis post 19 and 12.
That is better than all-star Wiggins.
No argument Wiggins should not be there.
I love Sabonis. With a D center like McGee. He can be best 4 in gm imo. He’s an old school 4 that can play small ball 5. He’d be my PF for his career.