Pacers' Bender tears left calf

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 | 5:18 PM ET

CBC Sports

Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender could miss up to four weeks with a torn muscle in his left calf. An MRI Tuesday confirmed the tear.

The 21-year-old Bender missed 11 games with a sore left gastroc before being activated from the injured list prior to the game against the New York Knicks on Jan. 8.

"It was getting a lot better and I felt ready to play," Bender said. "I just came back too soon."

Bender has played in 26 games this season for Indiana, averaging 6.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots.

Playing in his fourth season, all with the Pacers, Bender has averaged 5.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 187 contests.

He was originally selected by the Toronto in the first round -- fifth overall -- of the 1999 NBA Draft.

Bender's draft rights were then traded by the Raptors to Indiana for Antonio Davis.