St. John’s basketball: JaKarr Sampson answers call in playoff opener

Former St. John’s standout JaKarr Sampson answered the call in Game One of the NBA Playoffs for the Indiana Pacers.

Things rarely go according to plan in the NBA Playoffs, just look at how the league had to arrive at the postseason this year, but things even went more haywire for the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Miami Heat.

In what was anticipated to be a highly competitive game and series, and still has the possibility to be, the Pacers were dealt a blow with the injury to star guard Victor Oladipo as he was only to log nine minutes in the game.

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Pacers head coach Nate McMillan opted to spread out the All-Star’s minutes throughout his bench and that included former St. John’s standout JaKarr Sampson who was rock solid in his 17 minutes off the bench.

Sampson went for ten points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal on 5-of-6 shooting but the Pacers ultimately fell to the Heat, 113-101.

The former Red Storm standout was just one of four players for Indiana that reached at least ten points, joining TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, and Justin Holiday.

Tuesday afternoon marked the first ever postseason game in the NBA career of JaKarr Sampson in his fifth season in the league.

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Sampson has spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls before finding a home in Indiana and carving out his role on a playoff team in perhaps the most grueling, enduring, and challenge season in recent memory.

The former Johnnie is also the only St. John’s player that will be appearing in the NBA Playoffs this season.

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Game Two between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat will be on Thursday, August 20 at 1:00pm EST and can be seen on ESPN.