Harrington has MRI, no damage found in knee

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington has no structural damage in his sore right knee and isn't expected to miss any time.

Harrington had tests on his knee Thursday, one day after feeling pain during a victory over Phoenix.

Harrington said after the game that he thought the knee might need minor surgery to clear up some scar tissue. But a review of the tests on Friday found no such damage, the team said.

Harrington has been bothered by the knee since colliding with teammate Jermaine O'Neal before the season started. Team doctors have assured Harrington that he cannot damage the knee further by continuing to play.

Harrington, who practiced with the team Friday, is averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Via Associated Press

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Pacers' Artest has torn ligament in thumb

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest has torn ligaments in his left thumb that will require surgery, but an operation might not be needed until after the season.

Artest flew to New York on Monday to have the thumb examined by the doctor who repaired a similar injury when Artest was a sophomore at St. John's. Artest said Tuesday he had not seen the results, but Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed that the ligaments were torn.

Carlisle said the team was still in the ``discovery phase of the injury,'' and had not determined whether Indiana's second-leading scorer will wait until after the season to have it repaired.

Artest is averaging 17.5 points a game, but has struggled with his shot since injuring the thumb against New Jersey on Jan. 17. He shot 32 percent in the four games since the injury, including a 3-for-18 performance Friday in a loss to Houston.

Artest is questionable for Wednesday night's game against Phoenix.

Via Associated Press

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Artest flies to New York for thumb examination

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest missed practice Monday to fly to New York for an examination of his injured left thumb.

Artest hurt the thumb on his non-shooting hand in a game at New Jersey on Jan. 17. He has played the last four games with the thumb heavily wrapped, which has clearly affected his shooting. Artest is 20-for-62 (32 percent) since the injury.

After Friday's loss to Houston, in which Artest was 3-for-18, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he didn't ``have any doubt he was affected by the injury.''

Carlisle said after practice Monday that Artest was ``optimistic'' that the injury wasn't serious.

Carlisle was hoping that having three days off before the team's next game _ Wednesday against Phoenix _ will benefit the team's second-leading scorer.

Via Associated Press

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