#33 F
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Regular Season | ||||
| 5.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
Granger missed the first half of the season with patellar tendinosis after undergoing a second injection to treat the injury in October. He returned for five games in February, but the injury flared up again and he didn't play again. Entering Thursday's games, the Pacers had a seven-game lead in the Central Division and were third in the Eastern Conference standings.
It was Granger's third game back from a knee injury. He should slowly continue to return to form for the Pacers.
He finished with two points on 1-for-10 shooting in 18 minutes.
Vogel says Granger's left knee responded well to the most demanding practice he's had since being diagnosed with patellar tendinosis in November, though even if he was feeling well he may not have played. Granger hasn't played yet this season, and Vogel says he's not ``quite ready'' to return. The team hopes to have him back after the All-Star break.
Granger has been the Pacers' leading scorer each of the past five seasons but hasn't played at all this season because of patellar tendinosis in his left knee. Now, with Indiana surging back into the Central Division lead, it appears Granger is ready to come back. The bigger question may be how long he'll play. Vogel says Granger could start and play limited minutes right away or he could come off the bench for a few games.
Granger has been out all season with a patellar tendinosis in his left knee, but was cleared to participate in full contact practice for the first time Thursday. Vogel says he worked for 20 minutes in half-court sets.
The team issued a statement Wednesday saying Dr. James Andrews treated the forward's injured left knee with an injection Tuesday, and that the expected recovery process is about three months. He was diagnosed with patellar tendinosis. It's a big blow to a team that went into the season expecting to contend for the Eastern Conference title. Granger led the Pacers in scoring last season at 18.7 points per game.
He missed his first eight shots before hitting one in the fourth quarter. Granger finished with two points. "was rusty, but that's to be expected,'' coach Frank Vogel said. "That's why we aren't throwing him out there for 40 minutes. He's been a lot better in practices, but this was his first time at game speed in a long time.''
Granger, who didn't play in the Pacers' first five games, is in the starting lineup. Coach Frank Vogel said Granger will play 12 minutes and be increased to 20 minutes in the Pacers' final preseason game against Chicago on Friday if there are no setbacks.