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Indiana Pacers G-F Mike Dunleavy hopes to start practicing "in the next week or so"
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Indiana Pacers G-F Mike Dunleavy hopes his return is coming soon.
Dunleavy, the No. 3 selection in the 2002 NBA Draft, has yet to play this season after offseason knee and hip surgery, and missed all but 18 games last season. He wrote on his blog this week he is "so close he can taste it," and that he hopes to begin practicing "in the next week or so."
"The past few weeks have been especially tough because I'm so close I can taste it," Dunleavy wrote on his blog Monday as the Pacers (2-3) prepared to play the Golden State Warriors (2-4) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"In my mind, I feel like I can go out there and play -- but that's not how it works. I have to go through the necessary steps of building my knee back up."
Dunleavy's is the most high-profile of several major injuries for the Pacers, who have won two consecutive games after an 0-3 start.
While rookie F Tyler Hansbrough (shin) made debut with 13 points Friday against Washinton after missing the preseason first four regular-season games, the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday that F-C Troy Murphy (back) and G Brandon Rush (ankle) remain "day to day."
Hansbrough, who currently is limited to 16 minutes per game and played 13:49 against the Wizards, "will continue to have his minutes monitored for the next few weeks," Star writer Mike Wells also reported.
Dunleavy, who averaged 19.1 points per game in 2007-2008, wrote in his blog that he has had his fingers crossed "the last couple of weeks."
"The fingers have been knotted because I feel great and I want it to stay that way," he wrote. "I've been working out with our assistant coaches by myself. They've been putting me through half-court and full-court drills. I'm just trying to get my timing and conditioning back along with testing the knee. . . .
"Needless to say, we aren't taking any risks with this thing so I'll be on the sidelines watching the team a little bit longer."
Elsewhere around the web:
* Tom Lewis at Indy Cornrows says four days between games is a good thing for the Pacers. Here.
* Three thoughts on the Pacers by yours truly. Here.
* Conrad Brunner of Pacers.com talks about Pacers C Roy Hibbert's streak of double doubles. Here.
* Pacers F Danny Granger talks about Hansbrough on his blog. Here.
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