Danny Granger Will Not Return Tonight Against the Charlotte Bobcats

According to David Benner of the Pacers, Danny Granger will not be making his return to the team tonight, which was his last chance to appear in a game this season before the All-Star break.

Danny Granger has been ruled out to play tonight vs. Bobcats. Not at shootaround as he is sick. David West game time with scratched left eye

— David Benner (@PacersDMB) February 13, 2013

Incidentally, it seems that it is illness as much, if not more than, his knee troubles are what will keep him from suiting up. (As Benner mentions, West could also sit tonight.)

The other day, I speculated on a few (low-probability) reasons why it might make some sense to get Granger a few reps in what should be a relatively easy win against the hapless Bobcats. But this is probably for the best. Take the extra six days. Even if everything is structurally fine, just getting the cardio back up to an NBA level will take a while.

So while All-Star Paul George and Gerald Green are hanging out in Houston, Danny can get his sprint on in Indianapolis. Sounds like a good time.