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Michigan Basketball: Caris LeVert on a roll with Indiana Pacers

By Chris Peterson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 06: Caris LeVert #22 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 06, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 06: Caris LeVert #22 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 06, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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It’s been a tough year for former Michigan basketball player Caris LeVert, but he’s finding his groove with the Indiana Pacers. 

Few NBA basketball players have had to deal with the things former Michigan basketball player Caris LeVert has this season.

Not only was the former first-round pick traded from Brooklyn to Indiana, but he was also diagnosed with cancer. He did get it removed but it caused him to miss a huge chunk of the season.

The growth was in his kidney and it was discovered when he was taking a physical as part of the trade from the Nets to the Pacers.

LeVert, who also dealt with injury issues at Michigan, is fully healthy now and giving the Pacers exactly what they were hoping for when they got him as part of a trade involving Victor Oladipo and James Harden.

LeVert is averaging 20.7 points per game with the Pacers and five times since being activated with the team, he has scored at least 30 points. That includes back-to-back games and reaching 30 points in four of his last six outings.

Last night, in a loss to the Wizards, LeVert had an outstanding game scoring 35 points, grabbing 14 boards, and dishing out eight assists. He lost out to Russell Westbrook, who tied Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles of all time in the Wizards’ win.

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That was on the heels of a win Thursday for the Pacers, a game which included 31 points and 12 assists for LeVert. Caris is shooting 32 percent from 3-point range, yet is nearly 50 percent on 2-point attempts, while also averaging more than four assists per game.

Due in part to this recent effort, LeVert, and the Pacers are poised to make the NBA playoffs, at least the play-in portion.

With just a 72-game schedule, the NBA is conducting a play-in tournament for the final playoff spots in each conference. The top six seeds get a bye, while the No. 7 and No. 8 teams play with the winner getting a berth.

The loser of the 7-8 game then plays the winner of the 9-10 matchup, with the winner of that becoming the No. 8 seed.

Indiana trails Charlotte by two games for the No. 8 seed. Washington is also a half-game up on the Pacers, so there is some potential movement, but LeVert and the Pacers are likely to be in the play-in tournament.

And with the way LeVert is playing right now, the Pacers have to feel good about adding him in that trade, especially with two years left on his deal.

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