INDIANAPOLIS, 31 October 2004 — Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller suffered a broken bone in his left hand in the first quarter of a 98-79 loss to Denver on Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Miller will be examined again the next morning, but the initial estimate is a four-to-six week recovery.
The Pacers will open the regular season missing three starters. Center Jeff Foster is out at least six more weeks after undergoing right hip surgery, and power forward Jermaine O’Neal said Friday he expects to begin the year on the injured list because of the slow recovery of his injured left foot.
The 6’7” Miller was selected by the Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 1987 draft. He holds the NBA record for most three-point field goals made with 2,330.
In 80 games last season, Miller averaged 10.0 points and 3.1 assists. In 17 seasons with the Pacers, Miller owns career averages of 18.4 points and 3.0 assists.
Indiana wrapped up the preseason with a 6-2 record. The franchise best is 6-1 set in 1997-98 and 1980-81.
The Pacers open the regular season in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
