Jeff

Foster

Foster is a pretty good rebounder, so if he starts doing some scoring, he could have fantasy value this season.

Scot Pollard now becomes the starting center for the Pacers, while free agent rookie John Edwards has a chance now to stick with the team. Foster’s surgery will take place this morning, and he is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Foster has missed one game with a right hip injury.

Plan on Indy’s starting center being ready around the beginning of December.

The Pacers’ No. 1 center is returning from hip surgery.

He missed Friday’ game with a back injury. Austin Croshere replaced him in the lineup and went for 14 points. The Pacers aren’t sure when Foster hurt his back, but coach Rick Carlisle said he could have played last night, but probably only for the first few minutes of each half.

Foster got the start on Saturday, and wore the starter’s jersey in practice yesterday. He’s averaging four more minutes and four more points per game than Pollard while also contributing more rebounds and steals. Coach Rick Carlisle could continue to alternate based on matchups, but Foster is looking more valuable than Pollard at the moment.

Coach Rick Carlisle said he was just playing matchups. Pollard figures to get the majority of the start at center.

Trainer David Craig yanked it back into place before a jump ball, and Foster resumed play. He had it X-rayed afterward, but there was no sign of a fracture. “It doesn’t hurt now,” Foster said. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline. We’ll see what happens.”

Foster was hurt on an elbow from teammate Jermaine O’Neal. “I was fully extended and he popped me right on the hip,” he said. “He hit me flush. The spasm went down my leg and I couldn’t run.”