Pacers' Rick Carlisle to Jarace Walker: 'Your time is coming'

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jarace Walker had to expect more playing time by now, and Rick Carlisle knows it.

Walker was the Pacers' No. 8 overall pick and most of the players taken around him, and even some taken well after, are getting more immediate work. However, competition was tight in the Pacers' preseason and Walker didn't earn a rotation spot, so prior to Sunday's 128-116 loss to the Magic, he'd only appeared in three games of the Pacers' first 11. Carlisle said he had a discussion about playing time with Walker prior and that he doesn't think he's far from breaking through.

"This is what being a professional is all about," Carlisle said. "He's probably always played at every level he's played at from middle school to high school to college, AAU, you name it, but given the present circumstance, you gotta be a pro and work at your craft and you gotta be ready. I talked to him two days ago and let him know. I said, 'I don't know when it's gonna happen but your time is coming. That's how it works in this league.'"

Walker played 14 minutes in Sunday's game and even though they mostly came after the Magic had built a huge lead, he did some impressive work, scoring seven points on 3 of 6 shooting and posting an assist, a steal and a block. He and the Pacers' third unit helped Indiana turn an embarrassing blowout into a more reasonable defeat, posting a +15 plus-minus figure in his time on the floor.

"He's working," Carlisle said. "And he played well tonight."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Magic: Rick Carlisle sees progress from Jarace Walker