INDIANAPOLIS -- One of the most important things Jarace Walker learned in his second season in the NBA came from when his season effectively ended.

The ankle injury the Pacers forward suffered in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals forced him to consider just how fragile a basketball career can be. He tried to stop the Knicks' Karl Anthony Towns on a drive to the basket, jumped in the air to try to block his shot but landed and felt his right foot turn inward. Walker had to be helped off the floor and then had to celebrate the Pacers' trip to their first NBA Finals in 25 years while hobbling around on crutches.

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