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The Indiana Pacers return home to play the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night as they once again try to build on a win and build a little momentum before Thanksgiving.
The team announced today that rookies Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson will not be with the team when they play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and instead will get some run with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for two games in the D-League this weekend.
The Pacers have stayed away from sending players down to the D-League in the past for various reasons, but the option makes perfect sense for Plumlee and Johnson. Both players need to play and the time will give the Pacers a chance to evaluate their young players a little better, so I'll give Kevin Pritchard the nod for making this happen.
The Mad Ants appear happy to see the Pacers take advantage of their D-League affiliate just up I-69.
"We could not be happier to have Miles and Orlando join our team for these first two games," said Mad Ants head coach Duane Ticknor. "We think we can provide both players a great opportunity to improve their games, and I am excited for this watershed moment in our partnership with the Pacers."
For now, Plumlee and Johnson are scheduled to play in Fort Wayne's next two games against Erie on Friday and Maine on Sunday and then re-join the Pacers for their West Coast roadie next week.
Check out the links:
- Plumlee, Johnson to Play Two Games With Fort Wayne in D-League | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
- Mark's Mailbag: Lance, Free Agents, Rookies, more | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
- Pacers' Walsh frustrated at slow start, but remains patient | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
- Hornets' Davis out with left ankle injury | NBA.com
- New Orleans Hornets vs. Indiana Pacers: What the national media are saying | NOLA.com
- Pacers' rookies to get D-League trial | WFNI ESPN 1070 the Fan
- Knicks 102, Hornets 80: Yeah, it was nearly all bad - At The Hive
- Hornets hope Davis can play tonight against Pacers | 1070 The Fan – Opinion & Analysis
- Pacers to Use D-League for the First Time, Send Down Plumlee, Johnson | Eight Points, Nine Seconds
- NBA Surprises - SBNation.com
- Metta World Peace rubs Avery Johnson’s head after nailing a 3 during Lakers win over Nets (VIDEO) | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports