Sabonis re-entering bubble as Pacers look to extend Heat series
Indiana Pacers All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis is preparing to begin the league's bubble re-entry protocol to rejoin the team in Orlando, coach Nate McMillan said Saturday, according to freelance reporter Scott Agness.
However, Sabonis now faces a multi-day quarantine and the Pacers are trailing the Miami Heat 0-2 in their first-round series. Should the Pacers lose Game 3 on Saturday, their season could be over as early as Monday's Game 4.
Even if Indiana can extend its series long enough, there is no expectation yet that Sabonis will rejoin the roster once he clears quarantine, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Sabonis reportedly hasn't participated in basketball activity during the last six weeks while rehabbing.
In 62 games this season, Sabonis averaged 18.5 points, a team-high 12.4 rebounds, and five assists per game. He left the bubble last month to receive treatment for plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren have shouldered the offensive load through two playoff games, averaging 19.5 and 18 points, respectively. Sabonis' frontcourt mate, Myles Turner, leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game versus the Heat.
Two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo has been limited to fewer than 23 minutes per game as he continues to work himself back to form after a lengthy injury layoff.