"Indiana Pacers swingman Brandon Rush did a double take after he heard what coach Jim O'Brien had to say.

Rush will start the final two preseason games -- tonight at Minnesota and Friday at Chicago -- because Danny Granger is out with an ankle injury. O'Brien said he wants to continue using Paul George as the first wing player off the bench.

"I was real surprised when I found out I would be starting," Rush said. "I thought I was done playing because of my suspension."

Granger is expected to return in time for the season opener, Oct. 27 at San Antonio.

Rush is playing his final two games for several weeks due to a five-game regular-season suspension stemming from three positive drug tests.

"I want to give (Rush) a chance to be in a role that he was used in last year," O'Brien said. "These are his last chances to get to play. We'll see where he is and what he can give us in these last two games."

O'Brien might have started George if it were later in the season. But George is still adapting to his role as primary wing reserve.

O'Brien plans to go with a three-man rotation on the wing -- Granger, George and Mike Dunleavy -- during the regular season.

"I'm comfortable with coming off the bench," George said. "I'm still trying to learn things myself. This gives me a chance to observe what's going on amongst the starters and how certain guys play on the other team. I'll have a better feel for things when I check in the game."

Rush has only played 38 minutes during the preseason. He did not appear in the past two games because O'Brien had said he would use rotation players in the final four preseason games.

"I'll probably be a little rusty," Rush said. "I should be OK once I make a few shots. I want to go out there and give them something to remember for when I get back from my suspension.""