Posted Jul 31 2009 1:01PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Tyler Hansbrough could miss up to two months with a right shin injury, but the Indiana Pacers believe their first-round draft pick will be healthy enough for the start of the season.
The Pacers did not provide details of the injury Friday other than to say the 6-foot-9 forward is expected to miss six to eight weeks ahead of the season. The NBA regular season begins Oct. 27.
Indiana said Hansbrough hurt the shin last season, his final year at North Carolina.
The Pacers took Hansbrough at No. 13 overall in last month's draft and signed him to a three-year contract.
Hansbrough led the Tar Heels to the national championship last season and finished his career as the ACC's career scoring leader.
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