Indiana Pacers rookie winger Kendall Brown made his NBA debut Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Brown, the 48th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Pacers. He played for the team during the preseason and played for Indiana’s G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, on several occasions. But Wednesday was the first appearance in an NBA regular season game.
He faced the classic jitters that finally come with achieving the dream of playing in the NBA. “A little. Everyone gets a little nervous the first time around,” Brown explained. “It was good to be there with the team.”
The rookie played in four G League games this season and averaged 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. His defense and athleticism stood out with the Mad Ants.
Ironically, these are the skills he showed in his debut for the Pacers. With 1:39 to go, Brown entered the game, and at that point he stole and dipped the ball on a fast break. He said he didn’t want to force a bad shot, but he didn’t have to. His transition dunk was as easy as it gets.
Scroll to continue
“The first bucket in college was a dunk. The first bucket in the NBA was a dunk, too. It’s just fitting,” Brown, who attended Baylor University, said after the game.
The rookie averaged 3.5 points and 1.0 assists per game in four preseason appearances for the Blues and Golds. On Wednesday, he got his first glimpse of NBA regular season action, and he made it count. If the Pacers continue to deal with injuries, Brown could be active for more games in the future.
Many in the organization have raved about Brown’s speed and athleticism since being drafted. Indiana entered the 2022 draft to acquire another selection before ultimately selecting the wing, so it’s logical to assume the Pacers will try to give him additional development opportunities throughout the season. He often played in the G League and played well.
“It felt good to get on the court. And then the bucket too,” Brown said of his NBA debut. As the season progresses, the rookie might get more playing time.
- Oshae Brissett prepares for his best game of the season to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Toronto Raptors: “He does it at a high level”. CLICK HERE.
- Aaron Nesmith shows his growth with a career night against the Orlando Magic. CLICK HERE.
- Young Indiana Pacers players benefit from the leadership of TJ McConnell. CLICK HERE.
- Report: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All SI Pacers
- Follow on Twitter: @SIPacers