INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger says he's nearly ready to return from a foot injury and help his team challenge for a playoff berth.
The All-Star has missed the past nine games with a torn tendon in his right foot. He was sitting out Tuesday's game against Utah, but he expects to return within a week, either Friday at Atlanta or at Toronto on Sunday."We were hoping for today, but that's out of the question," Granger said after the team's shootaround Tuesday morning. "By Friday, I think I should be OK. If not Friday, then definitely Sunday."
Granger averages a team-best 25 points a game, but the Pacers have rallied for a 6-3 record in his absence. Indiana also has been without guard Mike Dunleavy for most of this season with a knee injury after he averaged 19 points a game last year.
Despite those aches and pains, the Pacers trail Milwaukee by 1 1/2 games for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
"It's pretty tough, but we're playing well, so that's great," Granger said. "We really didn't lose any ground, and actually, we're gaining ground."
Granger did some light shooting Tuesday, but he hasn't practiced since injuring the foot Feb. 18 against Charlotte. Granger said the Pacers have been cautious with the injury because of the pain level and the potential to re-injure the foot.
Granger said the foot injury likely came from overcompensating for soreness in his right knee that had been bothering him since before the All-Star break. He played limited minutes in the All-Star game to protect himself from risking further damage, but eventually ended up hurting it anyway.
