9
Jun
NBA Finals
Johnny Furphy on his Pacers: 'Never count us out'
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Indiana Pacers Aaron Nesmith and Tyrese Haliburton (left) and Australian rookie Johnny Furphy (right). Photos: Getty Images
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Australian rookie Johnny Furphy is learning how to be a professional under coach Rick Carlisle
- Game 2 of the NBA is Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10am (AEST)
- Johnny Furphy played 50 games for the Indiana Pacers in 2024-25
- The 2025 NBA Finals: The Oscars Awards of Basketball
Australian rookie Johnny Furphy is on the ride of his life with his Indiana Pacers shocking the basketball world, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder 1-0 in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Furphy, 20, has had a front row seat to one of the most clutch performers in NBA playoffs history, Tyrese Haliburton, who has made four last second shots in the Pacers march to the Finals including the 111-110 game winner in Game 1. The Pacers led from just 0.3 seconds.
"I I don't really know what to say anymore," Furphy said.
"Tyrese is just special, you never really count us out, especially (because) that's such a strength of ours.
"We've got so much experience in crunch time, it's the next play mentality and we're never gonna back down.
"That game was unreal, I don't really know what to say about it, it was just incredible to watch and see that unfold."
Melbourne-born Furphy was a DNP-coach's decision in Game 1 but his rookie year under NBA championship coach Rick Carlisle has been invaluable in his development.
"He's really kind of teaching me and instructing me how things go because I'm so new to this kind of (stuff)," Furphy said.
"So many things are coming out in different angles, he's been really good (in) taking me aside, doing individual workouts.
"I've definitely felt that sort of care level from him."
Furphy is a 206cm shooting guard who was drafted with the 35th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He was instantly traded to the Indiana Pacers for Juan Núñez and cash.
He played just one season of NCAA men's basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. He played 33 games, starting 19, and averaged nine points, 4.9 rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes per game. It was enough for him to attract the attention of NBA scouts so he declared for the draft.
Furphy averaged 2.1 points per game in 50 games for the Pacers in 2024-25, playing 7.6 minutes per contest. In 32 minutes, he scored a career high 17 points in 129-115 loss to the Orlando Magic on May 12, 2025.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10am (AEST).
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