A.J. Price's time with Pacers ending
SAN ANTONIO – Hours before the Indiana Pacers tipped off against the San Antonio Spurs, A.J. Price was aware of his fate.
The team's second injury hardship relief exception would expire Wednesday and the game would mark Price's last day with the Pacers.
"It was definitely fun, first and foremost," Price said. "I was grateful for the opportunity, everything that I had hoped for happened. I came here and got an opportunity to play. That was all I could ask for."
When a team is afflicted with several injuries, as the Pacers had been with four players missing at least two weeks, the NBA will grant an exception to add a 16th player to the roster for 10 days. The league awarded consecutive exceptions to the Pacers beginning on Nov. 6 that covered the games until Wednesday night.
Now, the Pacers' roster appears to be healing. Coach Frank Vogel said he "hopes" that power forward David West (sprained ankle) will make his season debut soon, even as early as Friday against the Orlando Magic. Backup point guard C.J. Watson, who has also sat out every game with a sore foot, appears to be recovering. Though there is no timetable for his return, Watson has been practicing with the team. Also, starting point guard George Hill (left knee contusion) continues to work out and even participates in pregame drills. Hill is expected to return in mid December.
Price, who began his NBA career with Indiana in 2009, rejoined the team to bolster the point guard depth behind Donald Sloan. In his previous nine appearances before Wednesday, Price, 28, helped steady the second unit by averaging 10.4 points and 2.4 assists. Price scored 22 points during a Nov. 10 win over Utah, only his third game with the Pacers. Also, Price made 34.3 percent of his 3-pointers and even knocked down a deep shot in the fourth quarter against Dallas on Monday that pulled the Pacers ahead to a nine-point lead.
"I think I played decent. I played well," Price said. "Hopefully, I've done enough to stick around somewhere."
"I'm optimistic it'll work out, if not here then somewhere else," continued Price, who said he will also contemplate playing in an international league. "Everything's an option at this point. You can't rule anything out at this point. If I'm not able to get a job here in the NBA, then overseas is definitely an option."
On Wednesday, the Pacers still felt the sting of injuries with starting center Roy Hibbert missing his second straight game with a sprained left ankle.
Follow Star reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.