Johnny Furphy assigned to Noblesville Boom, likely close to injury return

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Pacers forward Johnny Furphy was assigned to the Noblesville Boom on Saturday according to Pacers social media post. That's a sign he may be close to a return from a left ankle sprain that has kept him out since he suffered the injury in the Pacers' Nov. 3 loss to Milwaukee.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Monday in his pre-game press conference before the Pacers' game against the Pistons that Furphy is increasing on-floor activity and could return some time in the next two weeks. This move suggests it could be a little more accelerated. It obviously suggests that Furphy will not be available for Saturday night's game against the Bulls, but he could be on the floor Sunday to play in the Boom's 3 p.m. home game against the Wisconsin Herd.

Furphy posted a combined eight points and six rebounds in three games this season before the injury. Last year he averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in limited minutes but his performance in both G League action and NBA Summer League suggested he might be in for a leap this season, especially with more minutes expected to be available. He averaged 11.3 points per game on 52% shooting in NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and threw down a posterizing dunk that was one of the highlights of the summer. In G League play with the Mad Ants last year -- before their relocation to Noblesville and name change -- he posted 14.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in 10 games.

Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Johnny Furphy injury update: Pacers wing assigned to Noblesville Boom