Paul George Injury Update: Pacers Star Says He Will Return vs. Heat

Indiana Pacers star Paul George has missed the entire 2014-15 season to this point due to a broken leg he suffered this past summer while with Team USA, but the two-time All-Star announced Saturday that he is set to return to action Sunday against the Miami Heat. 

The 24-year-old swingman's gruesome leg injury was expected to keep him out for all of 2014-15, but he signaled his impending return with this post on Instagram:

That was then accompanied by this tweet, thus confirming his status:

The Pacers provided a statement from George:

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The recovery has been a long process and this is another step in the process,” said George, a two-time NBA All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2012-13. “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.

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The team also passed along comments from Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird:

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We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury,” said Bird. “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.

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The Pacers provided more from George, who spoke about his return:

As Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports pointed out, it has been just eight months since George suffered what could have been a career-changing injury:

The Pacers have struggled without their best player this season, going just 33-43 to date. However, a potential postseason berth remains up for grabs, as the Pacers trail the Heat by only 1.5 games for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

It is unclear how much George will be able to play and contribute, but his mere presence figures to give the Pacers a massive boost.

Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel provided comments from Heat star Dwyane Wade, who spoke about facing George:

The hometown fans will undoubtedly go wild for George when he takes the court Sunday, and it bears watching how his return will impact Indiana's quest for a postseason spot.

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