Indiana guard Mike Dunleavy is expected to return within a week or so after missing the entire season with a sore right knee.

"Obviously, it's been a long few months," Dunleavy told The Associated Press. "I'm on the mend, and I should be back soon. I'm looking forward to it."

He sat out just 11 games in his first six NBA seasons.

"I've been fortunate my entire career never to have had any injuries," said Dunleavy. "This is new to me. I've just tried to roll with it, just get better each day."

The Pacers start a five-game road trip Monday. Dunleavy hopes to be in the lineup before the Pacers return to Conseco Fieldhouse to play Detroit on Jan. 14.