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David West to miss remainder of preseason with ankle sprain

Frank Victores / USA Today Sports

The Indiana Pacers may have dodged a bullet on Saturday, as what appeared to be a potentially serious injury to power forward David West may not even sideline him for the season opener.

West has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and will sit out the remainder of the preseason, but he's hopeful he can play in the team's Oct. 29 tipoff.

"I just sprained it really good," West said. "It's a tough, tough sprain."

West knows tough, and the 17-foot Assassin has been relatively durable in his career. Since 2007-08, he's missed just 36 games, an average of 5.1 a year. Last season, he suited up in 80 outings, playing his highest minutes total since 2009-10.

Should West's injury linger, the Pacers may be rendered completely unable to score when the season gets underway. An anemic offensive squad during the second half of last season, the Pacers lost Lance Stephenson to free agency and Paul George to injury, and now have West and score-first point guard Rodney Stuckey on the mend.

Last season, West averaged 14 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, posting an above-average 17.5 player efficiency rating. He'll be leaned on much more heavily this year.

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