National Basketball Association

Tinsley plays in first game since 2007-08

Published Nov. 19, 2009 1:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Grizzlies signed the former Indiana Pacers point guard on Saturday in hopes of bringing in a veteran playmaker to help run the Memphis offense. He joined the team Monday, worked out Tuesday and went through shootaround earlier Wednesday

"He's going to play," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said before the game. "I don't know how much, but why wait?"

The Pacers bought out Tinsley in July. He had not played since the middle of the 2007-08 season when off-court issues led to Indiana telling him to stay away from the team.

In his seven seasons with Indiana, Tinsley averaged 10.4 points and seven assists. The assists average puts him seventh among active players.