Despite receiving inconsistent minutes throughout the season, Jabari Walker has consistently shown the heart and hustle the Sixers need, providing a spark when called upon, especially lately.
Coming off the bench to score 22 points, Walker knocked down four three-pointers and grabbed 10 rebounds against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. This was just 24 hours after he scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a blowout loss against the Spurs, admittedly in garbage time. Still, the 23-year-old forward is taking full advantage of his opportunity, no matter when it comes.
Jabari Walker’s day didn’t start out exactly how he wanted ahead of the Utah matchup, scratching his brand-new Mercedes before arriving at Xfinity Mobile Arena. It ended much better as he was a key piece in a crucial win for the shorthanded Sixers. He continued his momentum and didn’t let his earlier unfortunate incident that day negatively affect him.
“I actually had an unfortunate event today, so I just got a new car and I was driving it for no less than 30 minutes, and I scratched it…that was an unfortunate event for me. So mentally, I’m walking in here like my brand new car I just got, I scratched it. So, I talked to somebody coming in, I told them the story. They’re like, you know, it’s going to get better for you today. I’m in my basketball world, so whatever happened before stays out.”
Walker wasn't just in his "basketball world," he was in the zone, especially from deep, helping to break down a Jazz defense that constantly left him open in the corner. He was also opportunistic on the boards with some nice putback buckets or taking passes and finishing in the dunker’s spot once the defense collapsed. Walker shot 50 percent from beyond the arc in his last two games and is shooting with confidence.
“Coach has been on me, and I guess he just pays attention closely and he sees something in me”, said Walker. “Even in our workouts and walkthroughs, even when you think it doesn’t count, he’s on me to shoot it then and those things are very motivating.”
He has played his way into more opportunities to play, especially while the Sixers have a bevy of players out due to injury, but he knows his time in the rotation may only be temporary.
“If my minutes have to go down, I’ll take it. I signed up for it. That’s the role I knew I was getting into. We have great great players…we got hall of famers that have to come back…my job is to fill in and do exactly what I’m doing while they’re out.”
With the two-game trip against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coming up, Walker will likely be counted on against two of the most athletic front courts in the league. He has shown he can hold his own in his last two outings, and until the Sixers are healthy again, he may end up being an important piece in keeping this team afloat.
