posted on Oct, 30 2004 @ 10:58 AM
INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second straight season, Reggie Miller will have to work his way through an injury.
The Indiana guard broke a bone in his left hand in the Pacers' preseason finale against Denver on Friday night.
The 39-year-old Miller was injured while running through a screen in the first quarter and left holding his non-shooting hand. He will be examined
Saturday to determine the extent of the injury.
One of the NBA's best clutch players, Miller is the Pacers' all-time leading scorer. He is entering his 18th season with the club.
Miller, who turned 39 in August, averaged 10.0 points last season - matching his lowest average since his rookie campaign in 1987. He missed the first
12 games of the regular season with a bruised ankle.
The loss of Miller will hurt the Pacers' depth in the backcourt. But they are well equipped to replace one of the game's best shooters after signing
free agent Stephen Jackson to a six-year, $41 million deal.
Indiana is already without Jermaine O'Neal (strained ligament in his left foot), Jeff Foster (hip), Anthony Johnson (broken hand), David Harrison
(shoulder) and Jonathan Bender (knee).