INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Miller's right ankle, used to push off on his jump shot that ends with a backward skip, was bandaged and he needed crutches. But a sprained ankle probably won't keep Miller out of this week's World Championships.

	Miller

Miller, an Indiana Pacers guard, exited a U.S. national team private jet on crutches Monday and clearly favored his ankle as he limped to a charter bus. He was injured in an exhibition game Sunday against Germany.

National team coach George Karl expects Miller to play in Thursday's opening-round game against Algeria. But Miller won't practice the next two days as a precaution.

At the hotel, Miller, 37, posed for pictures with the sheriff's department but ignored questions as he hobbled -- without crutches -- past waiting reporters.

Miller, who won gold medals in the 1994 World Championships and 1996 Olympics, only shouted ''it hurts'' and ''I'm going to try'' when asked about his condition and playing status as he headed for therapy.

National team and Pacers' teammate Jermaine O'Neal isn't surprised by that.

''Reggie's a guy that if he's hurt, he never stays down,'' O'Neal said. ''Talking to him on the plane, the first thing he said was how he didn't want to miss all the fun. He wants to get back really, really soon.''

O'Neal scored 15 points in the 91-73 exhibition victory against the Germans on Sunday. Germany trailed by six points with two minutes left before the U.S. team pulled away.

The U.S. team defeated the Chinese national team 84-54 in the exhibition opener.

Karl said the close call against the Germans was a learning experience.

''We played a team that stayed with us a little bit. That scared us a little bit,'' he said. ''Our guys need that. I'd like to see that now when they're more aware of it. We're going to have five or six teams that can play with us.''