Indianapolis ? Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest will return to practice next week for the first time since being suspended for the remainder of the season after fighting with Detroit fans on Nov. 19.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Friday that the Pacers had been working with commissioner David Stern and the league to get Artest to practice, but stressed that he had not been reinstated.

“The league has allowed us to bring him back to practice,” Walsh said. “I’m sure he will return sometime next week.”

Depending on the team’s practice schedule, the All-Star could be back with his teammates as early as Monday. Walsh said the team received the go-ahead to allow Artest to practice about two weeks ago, but the Pacers’ glut of road games prevented them from doing so until now.

Walsh said it was important to get Artest back with the team in some way so he did not feel abandoned while sitting out the entire season.