Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (12) in action duing an NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics in Indianapolis, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Pacers young wing Johnny Furphy is right where he needs to be as he recovers from a torn right ACL suffered in early February.
The 21-year old forward was having a solid second season before he got hurt in a game against the Toronto Raptors. Furphy threw down a powerful dunk late in the third quarter, but his knee twisted as he landed. He fell to the floor in pain before being surrounded by team athletic trainers.
He missed the rest of the season. On Monday, Furphy attended a charity softball game captained by his teammate, star guard Tyrese Haliburton. He discussed his rehab process and health level heading into the 2026-27 season.
“I’m in a good place,” Furphy said. “I’m right where I need to be. As good as it can be.”
Furphy was surging when the injury took place. His scoring, rebounding, and assisting numbers were all at career-best marks. His efficiency climbed from basically every area of the court. And his defense took important steps forward – Furphy credibly guarded multiple positions for the blue and gold while becoming a useful member of the team’s best starting lineup.
He played for 31 minutes in the outing just before his injury and scored 14 points in the game before that. That night in Toronto, he started for the 18th time in a row.
Then, his devastating injury. He was finding his NBA footing and learning at a rapid pace. Had he been healthy, Furphy’s production and growth would have been one of the biggest stories to monitor for the Pacers in their final games once they playoffs were out of sight.
Instead, he had surgery and watched from the sidelines. In 2026-27, he does not project to be a part of the team’s rotation. But Furphy has a skillset that would help the team, and he’s still only 21 years old. He’s a promising young prospect.
Where is Pacers forward Johnny Furphy at with his rehab currently?
“Honestly, it’s a pretty prescribed rehab,” Furphy said of his current status. “So on certain dates you’re able to do certain things.
“And I’m able to do a lot more on the court right now,” he added, sharing for the first time personally that he’s back on the hardwood.
Furphy’s injury was over six months ago. The average return time for NBA players with ACL tears, per an old study from Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes, is about 11 months. But that number, Stotts notes, may be biased high based on two conservative recoveries from Nerlens Noel and Derrick Rose. Stotts also notes that over half of the players in his research that tore their ACL before the All-Star break in a season were able to return by opening night of the following campaign – though Furphy’s injury came just a few days before said break, so that stat may not be applicable to his circumstance.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 14: Johnny Furphy #12 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Still, Furphy is trending in the right direction and has been able to do work on the court for some time. “For sure,” Furphy said when asked if he’s able to actually play basketball. “I’ve been on the court for a while.” That has not yet included five-on-five play.
That matches a note shared by Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan from late in June. “If you were to watch him, he’s moving, he’s shooting. I think his recovery is going exceptionally well,” Buchanan said of Fruphy. “If you were to watch him out here, you’d be like, ‘this guy looks like he could play’. Obviously he’s not there yet, but everything is going well with Johnny.”
Buchanan added that Furphy has added some strength, something that is considered a priority for the forward. While the young Australian has a useful blend of height and athleticism, he’s always appeared skinny and played to his frame.
Furphy averaged 5.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his second season. The Pacers traded up to acquire the youngster in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. They believed in the Kansas product, and he quickly loved the franchise.
His current contract lasts beyond 2026-27, so the Pacers will want to see Furphy back on the court as quickly as possible – both so he has a chance to contribute this season and so he can improve for future campaigns. But right now, he has no set timeline.
“It’s hard to say right now,” he said. Furphy and the Pacers don’t want to rush into anything as they determine the right return date.
Could that be training camp? “I honestly don’t know,” Furphy said.
Media day and the start of camp are about one month away. And for the Pacers, expectations are back after a year without Haliburton. The team has high hopes, and while Furphy is a projected reserve, his health will be a factor in the team reaching their goals in future seasons.
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