He’s only played three games but Aussie Johnny Furphy is making progress towards a return<\/p>\n
Johnny Furphy has been sidelined since November 3 with a left ankle sprainHe also suffered an injury against OKC in the preseasonFurphy could return “in the next couple of weeks” according to coach Rick Carlisle<\/p>\n
Highflying Aussie wing Johnny Furphy<\/a> is making progress in his recovery from an ankle injury and is expected to make a return for the Indiana Pacers<\/a> before Christmas.<\/p>\n Furphy, a second-year player out of the University of Kansas, has been sidelined since suffering a left ankle sprain on November 3 when he left the venue on crutches. He has only played in three games this season.<\/p>\n Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave an update on the Melbourne product’s return from injury before his team’s 97-95 Emirates Cup loss to the Toronto Raptors<\/a> on November 27.<\/p>\n “Johnny’s situation is getting better,” he said.<\/p>\n “He’s started doing more activity on the floor. I would think in the next couple of weeks sometime he’ll be back.”<\/p>\n It will be a massive boost for an Indiana side sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 2-16 record, after taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the NBA\u00a0Finals last season, amid a long list of injuries.<\/p>\n All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (achilles) is out for the season, Obi Toppin remains out until at least February, while Aaron Nesmith could return around the same time as Furphy.<\/p>\n It’s been a tough start to Furphy’s second season in the NBA with the man, becoming known for his thunderous dunks, expected to take on a bigger role in 2025-26 after showing glimpses last season and dominating in his few games at the NBA\u00a0Summer League in July.<\/p>\n NBA legend and arguably the greatest dunker of all-time, Vince Carter, also called for Furphy to feature in this season’s dunk contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n