Danny Granger starts for Pacers

Updated: February 16, 2012, 7:38 PM ET

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Pacers forward Danny Granger started Thursday against New Jersey.

Indiana lost its top scorer with a sprained left ankle in the first quarter of Tuesday's loss to Miami. Granger also sat out Wednesday's loss at Cleveland. About 75 minutes before tipoff, coach Frank Vogel said Granger would start.

The Pacers have lost a season-high five straight.

New Jersey, however, was without forward Shawne Williams for the second straight game. Williams was originally listed as out with a sprained left shoulder. But before Thursday's game, the team said that Williams also has a sore left foot and knee and will be out indefinitely.

Williams has started six games this season and was originally drafted by the Pacers in 2006, No. 17 overall.