Furphy takes major step in comeback from ACL

• ‍Indiana Pacer Johnny Furphy out 'eight to 12 months'‍
• 'Here's Johnny': Furphy builds career by the minute‍
• 'Small part of a big journey': Injured Furphy opens up

Five months ago, Australian NBA star Johnny Furphy was laying on the baseline in agony after landing awkwardly in Toronto.

Furphy, 21, had torn his ACL as the Pacers fell 122-104 to the Raptors just as he was starting to carve out a role for himself in his second season at Indiana.

This week, the Pacers posted a series of photos of Furphy back on the floor at their practice facility.

Just days after the injury, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said: "No doubt that he's going to make a full recovery but whatever the necessary timetable is, that's what it will be."

Carlisle estimated Furphy will be out between eight to 12 months.

The Pacers have not given a timetable for a return but Furphy being back on the floor is an excellent sign for the Melbourne-born 2.03m guard.

“It’s learning how to mentally process everything, because it’s kind of hard to have a bigger picture mindset when you’re in the moment,” Furphy told CODE Sports.

“I think being young, I feel like I’m going to heal pretty well and I’m going to look back on this and see it was just a small part of a big journey.

"That’s kind of how I’m looking at it."

Furphy announced himself to the NBA world during the 2025 Summer League in Las Vegas, detonating on Chicago's Noa Essengue with a dunk many Australian fans now consider our greatest poster in the NBA history.

"I didn't really plan it out," Furphy admitted.

"I don't normally jump off two feet, so that's a new experience for me.

"It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, I just want to be as aggressive as possible. When I see an opportunity, I'm gonna take it.

"I'm just trying to use my experience as much as possible."

Furphy's ability to finish at the rim earned one of the greatest endorsements a dunker can receive.

One of the greatest in-game and NBA All-Star Slam Dunk champions Vince Carter wanted Australian Johnny Furphy in the 2026 All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk content.

Carter, who won the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest, said: "Johnny Furphy, I saw what you did to your teammate and then you go into the game and do this, young man.

"Let's bring it back, we don't want to hang on to the old guys, the Dr Js, the MJs, it's the new guys turn.

"We want you to bring it up, so come on and join us."

Now, he's preparing to return to the floor sometime in the 2026-27 NBA season.