Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger underwent successful surgery on his left knee Thursday and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp for the 2013 season, the team announced.
The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews, with assistance from team orthopedist Tim Hupfer.
The Pacers announced last month Granger would miss the rest of the season “after all conservative treatment options could not alleviate the soreness” Granger had experienced after only five games this season.
Granger and the Pacers’ medical staff received consultation from Andrews, at which time the “preferred option” became surgery.
This was the second operation on Granger’s knee since October, when he was diagnosed with patellar tendinosis. He sat out until Feb. 25 and played five games before continued soreness in the knee sent him back to the sideline.
–The Los Angeles Lakers, who are battling for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, added two players Thursday from the NBA Development League.
Center Robert Sacre and guard Darius Morris were recalled from the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Sacre averaged 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 31 games with the Lakers earlier this season. Morris played 15 games for the Lakers previously this season, producing averages of 4.2 points and 1.6 assists.
–Former NBA star Gary Payton will be a member of the 2013 Hall of Fame class, according to NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.
Payton, considered one of the best defensive guards in NBA history, played on a Seattle SuperSonics team that reached the NBA Finals in 1996. An official announcement is expected Monday, according to NBA.com.
Payton averaged 16.3 points per games during a 17-year career that began in 1990. He played most of his career with Seattle, but also spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
–Thieves stole an estimated $340,000 in jewelry from the home of Miami Heat star Chris Bosh while he was out celebrating his 29th birthday, according to an NBC6 report.
Citing Miami police, Bosh phoned about 12:30 a.m. Thursday after he and his wife returned from a well-publicized party at South Beach’s Bamboo nightclub. They noticed an open jewelry drawer, and numerous watches, rings and purses were missing. Items including Bosh’s Heat championship ring were left behind.