Pacers forward Danny Granger to miss rest of season after surgery

Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers, who has played in only five games, will miss the remainder of the season after opting to have surgery on his injured left knee.

The All-Star small forward, who has averaged 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game in his eight-year career, missed the start of the season after having surgery in October for patellar tendinosis.

Granger returned to action as a reserve on Feb. 25 but played an average of 14.8 minutes in five games before soreness prevented him from making a full comeback. He last appeared in a game March 6.

The Pacers’ medical staff and Granger consulted with surgeon James Andrews -- he of the Robert Griffin III is superhuman statement -- and decided surgery was the best option.

“The decision was made after all conservative treatment options could not alleviate the soreness Granger encountered,� the team said in a statement. “After consultation ... surgery became the preferred option.�

The Pacers (45-27), who are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings just percentage points behind the New York Knicks (44-26) and 11 1/2 games behind the Miami Heat (56-15), said Granger should make a full recovery in time for training camp this summer.

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