"Tyler Hansbrough said he felt a little dizzy after missing seven games due to an inner ear infection, but the Indiana Pacers rookie power forward doesn't expect it to keep him out of the lineup moving forward.

Hansbrough played 12 minutes in Monday's 105-101 victory over Toronto, his first action since Dec. 27. He's expected to be ready tonight against Amare Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns.

"It's just gradually there," Hansbrough said of the dizziness. "It's not there all the time. It comes and goes."

Hansbrough scored four points but missed 5-of-7 free throws. He said the impact of the injury on his shooting "is kind of overhyped."

"I feel a lot better," he said. "I'm just trying to get back, get a game feel for everything. When you're out and get back in there, you can practice free throws a lot, but it's not like the game."

The viral ear infection could take six weeks to completely clear up, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said.

"He had a little dizziness (Monday), but he felt good to be back," O'Brien said. "If he looks like he's spinning out there, I'll get him out.""