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Indy Star
Strain won't keep Artest off court
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
January 28, 2004
Ron Artest's thumb injury has been diagnosed as a strain, and he's not expected to miss game action.
That, at least, was the latest report following a confusing turn of events Tuesday after the Indiana Pacers' practice at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Artest, who flew to New York on Monday to be examined, told reporters he wasn't sure of his thumb's condition because team personnel had not yet seen his MRI.
Moments later, coach Rick Carlisle said Artest had suffered torn ligaments in his left hand. But after most reporters had left, Carlisle came back from the locker room to correct himself.
"I got wrong information," Carlisle said. "He's got a strained thumb."
Artest had surgery on the thumb his sophomore year at St. John's after tearing a ligament. He re-injured it in the Pacers' game at New Jersey on Jan. 17.
Although Artest has continued to play, his performance has been hindered. He's hit 31 percent of his field goal attempts and averaged 4.2 rebounds in the five games since suffering the injury.
Artest was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, however, and talked optimistically of his ability to continue playing.
"You make sure you protect yourself and just play the game," he said.
"It could be a season-long (problem), but you go through it."
Artest said the injury has curtailed his aggressiveness and confidence in recent games. He was hopeful an encouraging diagnosis would allow him to return to the level of play that had made him a strong candidate for a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
"The past couple of games there were a lot of things I didn't want to do, because I didn't want to be out before the playoffs," he said.
Strain won't keep Artest off court
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
January 28, 2004
Ron Artest's thumb injury has been diagnosed as a strain, and he's not expected to miss game action.
That, at least, was the latest report following a confusing turn of events Tuesday after the Indiana Pacers' practice at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Artest, who flew to New York on Monday to be examined, told reporters he wasn't sure of his thumb's condition because team personnel had not yet seen his MRI.
Moments later, coach Rick Carlisle said Artest had suffered torn ligaments in his left hand. But after most reporters had left, Carlisle came back from the locker room to correct himself.
"I got wrong information," Carlisle said. "He's got a strained thumb."
Artest had surgery on the thumb his sophomore year at St. John's after tearing a ligament. He re-injured it in the Pacers' game at New Jersey on Jan. 17.
Although Artest has continued to play, his performance has been hindered. He's hit 31 percent of his field goal attempts and averaged 4.2 rebounds in the five games since suffering the injury.
Artest was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, however, and talked optimistically of his ability to continue playing.
"You make sure you protect yourself and just play the game," he said.
"It could be a season-long (problem), but you go through it."
Artest said the injury has curtailed his aggressiveness and confidence in recent games. He was hopeful an encouraging diagnosis would allow him to return to the level of play that had made him a strong candidate for a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
"The past couple of games there were a lot of things I didn't want to do, because I didn't want to be out before the playoffs," he said.
