Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is expected to make his season debut on Friday after missing the team's first 25 games with a left calf strain.
Granger appeared in just five games last season before a lingering left knee injury required season-ending surgery. While attempting a comeback in early October, Granger pulled a calf in the same left leg.
"There's no way to simulate game intensity," Indiana head coach Frank Vogel said of Granger's return to the court. "There's going to be an adjustment period while he gets used to that."
Granger, selected 17th overall by the Pacers in 2005, has averaged 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 515 games (423 starts) over eight NBA seasons, all in Indiana.
The 30-year-old swingman will make his first regular-season appearance since March 3 when the 20-5 Pacers host Houston on Friday.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.