INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George is coming back sooner than expected.
The Indiana Pacers’ two-time All-Star has been cleared to play Sunday against the Miami Heat, just eight months after he broke his right leg during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas. He announced his return by tweeting a picture of his game shoes on Saturday morning, and the Pacers then confirmed the news.
“We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury,” president of basketball operations Larry Bird said in the Pacers’ press release. “He has worked hard to get to this point and still has work to do, but it’s a positive step toward what we hope will be a full recovery at some point. His minutes will be limited in games he plays as we evaluate his progress moving forward.”
When George was hurt in August, it seemed a foregone conclusion he would miss the entire 2014-15 season. But he returned to full practices Feb. 26 and set a mid-March goal to play in games.
It looks as if he is about to achieve that feat.
“The recovery has been a long process, and this is another step in the process,” George said. “I thank everyone, my family, friends, doctors, our training staff, coaches, the entire Pacers family for their support and encouragement. I’m excited, but at the same time I’m aware I’m still in a rehab stage and will continue to work to get back to full strength.”
It’s still unclear what kind of condition George is in and how long it might take him to return to his old form. But Bird figured that if George could get some competitive work in before the end of this season, it would help him continue his progression during the offseason.
Thumbnail photo via Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
