Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger was able to participate
in shooting drills yesterday, and he continues to eye a February return,
barring any setbacks, reports Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star.
Granger has yet to make his season debut for the Pacers due
to his knee injury. He was the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs last year,
while averaging 18.7 points per game during the regular season.
Still, the Pacers have more than survived without Granger,
as they’ve gotten off to a 24-16 start. Indiana has developed into arguably the
best defensive team in the NBA, and the eventual return of Granger will only
make them a stronger contender in the East.
Granger figures to ease his way back into a starting role.
He’ll likely come off the bench at first and then gradually pick up minutes so
not to reinjure his knee.
In place of Granger, the Pacers have started Lance
Stephenson. The second-year player has averaged 7.8 points per game to go with
his contributions on the defensive end of the floor. He’ll likely head back to
the bench when Granger returns, which will only strengthen Indiana’s reserves.
Follow @hoopsinjurynews