Paul George is returning to the Indiana Pacers for their game against the Miami Heat on Sunday, providing what will not only be a big morale boost, but a much needed boost on the court for a Pacers team fighting for a playoff spot with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The two-time All-Star and 2013 Most Improved Player has been cleared to play Sunday against Miami eight months after suffering a gruesome broken leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas last summer.
George formally announced his return by tweeting a picture of his game shoes on Saturday morning, with the team confirming the news shortly after.
“We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury,” Pacers president Larry Bird said in a release on saturday. “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.”
Due to the nature and severity of George’s injury, it was widely assumed that he would miss the entirety of the 2014-15 season. However, after being cleared by doctors and resuming full practices with the team on Feb. 26th, George announced his intention of returning to the team in mid-March to aid in the Pacers’ playoff push, but was unable to return on his targeted date.
“I wanted it to be March 14, but that obviously didn’t happen,” George told reporters earlier this week. “We’re just being smart about the situation. When the time’s ready, I’ll be back out there.”
It appears that time is now.
“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.”
George’s looming return generated excitement among teammates and fans initially, but during a recent seven-game winning streak in March, George publicly wondered if his early return would disrupt the team’s rhythm and chemistry. But since that win streak, the Pacers (33-43), who have lost nine of their last 12 games, falling to 10th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, and 1 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Miami Heat (34-41), making this Sunday the perfect time for a return with the possibility for the Pacers to make up a full game in the standings.
George, 24, averaged a career-best 21.7 points per game last season to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
