NBA News: 05.04.13

Pacers' Granger has successful knee surgery

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is recovering after what the team says was successful surgery on his left knee.

The team said Granger had the procedure Thursday. A full recovery is expected and Granger is expected to be ready for training camp this fall.

Granger missed the first half of the season with patellar tendinosis after undergoing a second injection to treat the injury in October. He returned for five games in February, but the injury flared up again and he didn't play again.

Entering Thursday's games, the Pacers had a seven-game lead in the Central Division and were third in the Eastern Conference standings.

 Clippers sign Summers for rest of season

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Clippers have signed forward DaJuan Summers for the rest of the season.

He has played in two games, averaging 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 3.5 minutes.

Summers averaged 18.0 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA's D-League in 29 games.

He played for Detroit and New Orleans from 2009-12.

Brand sidelined by sore right calf

DENVER (AP) -- Dallas big man Elton Brand is being held out of the Mavericks' game at Denver on Thursday night because of a sore right calf that's been bothering him for a week.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Brand is day to day.
Carlisle said the injury flared up in the team's loss to Indiana on March 28 and affected Brand in subsequent games against the Bulls and Lakers, "so we're going to sit him and try to get him right."
The 13th-year pro is averaging 7.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for Dallas, which is in a heated race with the Jazz and Lakers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Nuggets, trying to secure a home-court start to the playoffs, are seeking their 19th straight home win.