Injured forward Danny Granger's absence has not been felt by the Indiana Pacers, who have roared to a league-best 17-2 record anchored on the brilliance of new franchise player Paul George and the defensive intensity of center Roy Hibbert.
Still, the league's best team should get a boost when their former franchise star Granger makes his season debut soon. The veteran forward participated in his first practice on Friday night as the team made preparations for their match-up against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
"I feel good. I was running, sprinting, playing live for about an hour, so I felt really good," Granger told IndyStar.com.
But coach Frank Vogel was less optimistic about Granger playing immediately, saying: "It was his first action back. He's a ways away, though."
Granger also offered his thoughts on his impending return: "(The Pacers' trainers are) kind of holding me back and I think they know best. If it was up to me, I'd be playing, but like I said, they know best. That's just me talking from my competitive side. I practiced today, so obviously I'm not far away."
Granger, with career averages of 18.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, used to be the franchise player of the Pacers until recurring injuries forced him to miss 77 games last season. His absence led the way to the rise to stardom of George, who became an All-Star and breakout star of last year's playoffs where he led the Pacers to Game 7 of the East Finals against eventual champions the Miami Heat.
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