Court time for Stephenson?

Lance Stephenson's first playing time might not come in an Indiana Pacers uniform.

It might be with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers' NBA Development League affiliate team.

Pacers president Larry Bird has no plans to send Stephenson to Fort Wayne in the near future, but he said earlier this week there's a possibility it could happen later this season.

"Not right now, because I think he needs to be here," Bird said. "But you never know, later on in the season we might send him there to get some time."

Stephenson, the Pacers' second-round pick this year, has been inactive for all 17 games.

The only way he'll be active is if he beats out a teammate or if the Pacers come down with a rash of injuries at guard.