23
Oct
Season Opener
Johnny Furphy expected to play season opener
Johnny Furphy in action during the NBA preseason. Photo: Getty Images
The Aussie young gun has overcome an angle injury in time for Indiana's NBA Finals rematch
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Highflying Aussie Johnny Furphy is expected to overcome an ankle injury to play in the season opener for the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Finals rematch against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, reports Tony East of Forbes.com.
Furphy, who most experts predict to have a breakout season after showing glimpses of brilliance in the Summer League and preseason, suffered the injury in an exhibition game on October 11.
The injury forced the Melbourne product to miss the rest of Indiana's preseason and had Pacers coach Rick Carlisle doubting whether he would be fit for the start of the new season.
“Not sure how long,” Carlisle said after the injury against the Thunder.
“There’s a chance they could be back for the opening of the season, but I don’t know how big of a chance.”
Furphy played in 50 games last season and averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in almost eight minutes of court time per game.
Although given limited opportunity, the 20-year-old impressed in his minutes and became known for his highlight dunks - a reputation he built on during Summer League where he had arguably the biggest ever dunk by an Australian, putting Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue on a poster no one will ever forget.
Furphy and the Pacers are just one of four teams in action on Friday with the Denver Nuggets hosting the Golden State Warriors.
