As the NBA regular season winds down and the playoffs approach, several teams are trying to get their teams in sync before the stretch run.
The Indiana Pacers, who many believe are the only potential threat to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference are awaiting the return of forward Danny Granger, once the face of the franchise.
Granger missed the Pacers first 55 games this season because of an ongoing knee injury that began just before the start of the season. His long-awaited return was short-lived, lasting just five games off the bench. Granger has missed the last 11 games.
With just 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Pacers must find a way to get a healthy — and productive — Granger back and integrate him into their lineup, whether it be as a starter or a key player off the bench to anchor their poor second unit.
The bottom line is that, with Miami becoming more dominant by the day, there is no margin for error.
According to Scott Agness of NBA.com, Granger is set to return sometime on the Pacers upcoming four-game road trip, and will be his last shot at salvaging his season.
“I think so,” Vogel agreed. “If he re-injures it or it flares up really bad again, then you got to look at some alternatives. I don’t want to use the term ‘shutting him down,’ but you’re at that time. We’re definitely hoping that we don’t have any setbacks.”
Working with and being evaluated by the Pacers training staff every day has revealed that no new damage has been done to Granger’s left knee since returning which has allowed him to start practicing with the team again. But while Granger has been productive in practice, there is still a question as to whether or not he is ready to play.
“We’re hopeful that he gets on the court on this trip,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll be Wednesday night, but it could be. Could be Thursday, I don’t know.
“Some of the games are going to be his rehab assignments. It’s not like we can wait and let him have five or six practices under his belt. The games are going to be those. We got to manage it the way we did before, probably like 15 to 20 minutes. Get him in, hope he establishes a rhythm as quickly as possible.”
Aside from his knee, Vogel says it’s all about three things for Granger: Rhythm, timing and conditioning.
The Pacers are dealing with more injuries than just Granger, though. David West — who some believe to be their most important player — has missed the last five games. Vogel’s starting backcourt of George Hill and Lance Stepehenson were also out of Monday’s win over Atlanta.
For the Pacers, it looks like rhythm, timing and conditioning are going to be critical for everyone down the stretch.
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