Danny Granger ruled out for three weeks

The Indiana Pacers have confirmed that Danny Granger will miss the first three weeks of the new season.

Granger, who only played five games during the last campaign due to a knee injury, has been struggling with a calf strain and the Pacers are not willing to risk exasperating the problem further.

"The length of time is a precautionary measure as the team wants to ensure Granger is physically ready to play in light of missing all but five games last season due to his knee injury," said a statement on the team's website.

"The rehabilitation time is strictly related to the calf injury."

The 30-year-old has represented the Pacers since entering the NBA as a first-round pick in 2005.