NBA roundup: Granger's debut still on hold
The anticipated return of Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger will have to wait at least another day.
The Pacers announced that Granger, who has yet to play this season because of a knee injury, will not be on the floor Friday night against the Detroit Pistons.
Granger was expected to make his season debut sometime this week, but the Pacers continue to be cautious as the knee recovers slowly. There still is a possibility that Granger could play Saturday night.
Granger, 29, has averaged more than 18 points per game each of the past five seasons. His name came up in trade rumors before Thursday's deadline, but there appeared to be uncertainty about his health and he remains with Indiana.
---Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss was buried in a private ceremony with family and close friends at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Calif.
Buss died Monday at age 80 after an 18-month battle with cancer.
On Thursday, a private memorial service was held in Los Angeles with Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Phil Jackson among the invited guests paying tribute to Buss.
The Buss family extended its gratitude for a "tremendous outpouring of love and support."
---Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson will not play Friday against the visiting Houston Rockets due plantar fasciitis, general manager Billy King told ESPN radio earlier in the day.
Point guard Deron Williams, who returned Wednesday from inflammation in both his ankles, will play despite soreness. He told reporters that he received a third round of cortisone shots since the season began.
Johnson's injury flared up during Wednesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
---Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko will not play for Russia in the European Championship this September, according to Sport Express.
Kirilenko told the Russian daily that he informed Russian basketball federation president, Alexander Krasnenkov, that he wants to skip the tournament after the NBA season to spend more time with his family. He did not rule out playing for Russia in the 2016 Olympics.
