A wave of forward soreness has hit the Indiana Pacers, as star forward Paul George (sore left ankle), small forward C.J. Miles (sore left knee) and power forward Kevin Seraphin (sore left knee) are out for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to the team.
George had played through the soreness for two games, but did not practice on Thursday and asked to be examined by the medical team. He does not expect this to be a long absence, though.
“Anything other than a sprain, it would feel a lot worse,” George told Mark Montieth of Pacers.com. “It hurts, but… I think I would know the difference between the two.”
“I'd rather be strong late in the year rather than early in the year,” he added.
Miles played only nine minutes upon starting Friday's game in place of George, hurting his left knee and quickly being declared out for the rest of the game. The lefty sharpshooter had been a great source of long-range shooting and clutch defensive plays.
Seraphin was injured in the second half against the Suns, playing only 11 minutes before sitting out the rest of the game. He received an MRI on Saturday and said he felt a tweak in his knee, but is mostly sore right now; he told Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star.
Glenn Robinson III could seize a huge opportunity after playing 25 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
The third-year forward put on a show, making plays at both ends and sparking a third-quarter surge, going for nine points on 4-of-6 from the field, three rebounds and a block.
“Glenn has worked hard and he'll get his opportunity tomorrow,” head coach Nate McMillan said.
If the Michigan alum can count on his teammates, he could garner a spot in the rotation in the eyes of his coach once George and Miles return from injury. At 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds, the chiseled swingman can play at shooting guard or small forward if he continues to be an asset at both ends.
“I think I'm a lot more aggressive,” Robinson said. “That's what I'm going to try to do. Coach talked to me and said we need a spark coming off that bench, especially defensively. That's something I'm going to try to do and let everything else come to me.
“I think this time last year I was a little more hesitant than I am now. I have a lot more confidence in my game this year and in my abilities.”
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