Glenn Robinson III plans to make his season debut Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks. He missed the Pacers’ first 58 games of the season due to a left ankle injury in camp that required surgery.
GRIII had surgery on Oct 13., played in two G League games with the Mad Ants earlier this month, and he passed the team’s conditioning test on Tuesday.
“I’m happy to say I’m ready to go,” he said with a big grin after Wednesday’s practice. “I’m looking forward to Friday, getting on the team with my teammates. I had a talk with Nate and the training staff, so they cleared me to play. I worked hard over break to get back and make sure I’m in shape, make sure I passed the conditioning test yesterday.
“I’m ready to go.”
He is expected to play between five and ten minutes in his first game of the season.
“He’s been out all season long and is coming into a rotation that has really been set for the season,” coach Nate McMillan said.
Robinson III, who is 24 years old and in a contract year, averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds off the bench last season – his third in the NBA. 12 months ago, he won the Slam Dunk Contest in New Orleans and returned with his confidence at an all-time high.
Instead of going somewhere exotic over the All-Star break, like Belize or Turks and Caicos, GRIII went to Phoenix where Dan Dyrek, the team’s head physical therapist would be and could work with him daily. Robinson III was accompanied by his basketball trainer, Joey Burton, and they used the Phoenix Suns’ facility daily.
Been along journey back, since training camp I’ve been waiting to step on the court with this team. I’m ready to lock in and just help us win by any means!!
— Glenn Robinson III (@GRIII) February 23, 2018
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