Pacers' O'Brien picks Rush to fill in for injured Granger

Indiana Pacers swingman Brandon Rush did a double take after he heard what coach Jim O'Brien had to say.

Rush will start the final two preseason games -- tonight at Minnesota and Friday at Chicago -- because Danny Granger is out with an ankle injury. O'Brien said he wants to continue using Paul George as the first wing player off the bench.

"I was real surprised when I found out I would be starting," Rush said. "I thought I was done playing because of my suspension."

Granger is expected to return in time for the season opener, Oct. 27 at San Antonio.

Rush is playing his final two games for several weeks due to a five-game regular-season suspension stemming from three positive drug tests.

"I want to give (Rush) a chance to be in a role that he was used in last year," O'Brien said. "These are his last chances to get to play. We'll see where he is and what he can give us in these last two games."

O'Brien might have started George if it were later in the season. But George is still adapting to his role as primary wing reserve.
(...)
Stephenson is scheduled to appear in a New York court today to face charges stemming from an alleged incident with his girlfriend in August.

Prosecutors said Stephenson pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs, grabbed her and slammed her head on the bottom step. He faces several charges, including felony assault, which carries a minimum seven-year sentence.