The Pacers' prospects for 2012/13 suffered a huge blow today, as the team announced that Danny Granger could be out until February. According to the Pacers, Granger received an injection from Dr. James Andrews to treat left patellar tendinosis. The veteran forward's recovery time is expected to be "approximately three months."
While the Pacers have managed to play .500 ball very early in the regular season without Granger, they were expected to be a top-four club in the Eastern Conference this year, a goal it will be difficult to meet without their top scorer. The 29-year-old averaged 18.7 PPG for Indiana last season, slightly above his career mark of 18.2 PPG with the team.
It remains to be seen whether the Pacers to make a roster move at any point to add depth at the wing, but for now I'd assume the club will let Paul George and others attempt to make up for at least part of Granger's production. Although the Pacers are carrying the maximum 15 players, one of those 15 is Ben Hansbrough, whose contract is non-guaranteed, so the team has the flexibility to make a move if necessary.