Lance Stephenson Injury Update: Pacers rule Stephenson out against Trail Blazers, Granger to start

According to the Pacers, Frank Vogel has ruled out playing Lance Stephenson against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Coach Vogel reports the Lance Stephenson will be out tonight and Danny Granger will start.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 7, 2014

Veteran reserve Danny Granger will join the starting lineup for the rematch with the Blazers. Stephenson injured his back after a wild fall during the team's win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. That last time Stephenson missed a game was coincidentally in Atlanta when the Pacers lost to the Hawks in early January.

Stephenson had one of his worst games of the season when the Pacers lost to Portland in early December when he fouled out with just two points, two assists and three turnovers. Granger was not available for the loss in Portland while still recovering from his knee injury. Rasual Butler will likely fill in the reserve wing minutes for Granger.

With Orlando Johnson off to Fort Wayne, rookie Solomon Hill will be the next man in line for any needed wing minutes.

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