Pacers' David West, George Hill, C.J. Watson to miss start of season
Indiana Pacers forward David West and guards George Hill and C.J. Watson will miss the start of the season with injuries, the team announced on Monday.
West, 34, sprained his ankle during a preseason game and will miss at least the first three games of the season. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.8 rebounds last season for the Pacers.
Hill is expected to miss at least three weeks as he recovers from a left knee contusion. The 28-year-old point guard scored 10.3 points and dished out 3.5 assists per game last season.
Watson has a bruised right foot and the team expects him to miss at least the first two weeks of the season. He averaged 6.6 points last season while shooting 36.6 percent on three-pointers.
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After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Pacers are a much different team entering 2014-15. All-Star small forward Paul George is expected to miss the entire season after breaking his leg in August during a Team USA scrimmage. Fellow starter Lance Stephenson left as a free agent to sign with the Charlotte Hornets. With the injuries to West and Hill, center Roy Hibbert will be the only returning starter on opening night for the Pacers.
Head coach Frank Vogel signed a contract extension earlier this month.
The Pacers open the regular season on Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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- Paul Palladino
