INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Ron Artest came off the injured list after left thumb surgery and was expected to start for the Indiana Pacers against Golden State on Tuesday night.

The All-Star forward had an operation Feb. 19 to repair a torn ligament on his non-shooting hand. He began working out almost immediately after and was examined Monday in New York.

He was cleared to play with a protective padding around the thumb.

It was thought Artest, who had surgery for a similar injury when he was a sophomore at St. John's, might miss the rest of the regular season.

``It's an unusual situation, but Ron's an unusual player,'' coach Rick Carlisle said. ``He had a similar procedure in college with the same doctor and with her approval was able to play after a similar layoff.''

To make room for Artest on the roster, the Pacers put rookie James Jones on the injured list with a bruised left leg.

Artest, averaging 18 points, 5.3 rebounds and two steals, first injured the thumb when it got caught in New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson's jersey Jan. 17. Artest aggravated it a month later when he fell during a game against New Orleans.

The Eastern Conference-leading Pacers went 4-1 with Al Harrington starting in place of Artest.