Paul George Injury: Updates on Pacers Star's Recovery from Leg Surgery

Updates from Friday, Nov. 21

The Associated Press (via ESPN) has the latest on George's recovery:

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The two-time All-Star said Friday he has been working on a treadmill in a pool and expects to start limited work on the court soon. He has been walking on the leg, which snapped in two places Aug. 1, and working on his shot since late September.

While George says he remains hopeful of a return late this season, coach Frank Vogel calls it "very unlikely."

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Updates from Friday, Nov. 7

A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com has an update on Paul George's status:

Updates from Monday, Oct. 20

Pacers reporter Scott Agness has video of Paul George shooting at practice:

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 30

During Pacers media day, Paul George talked about the odds of returning from his broken leg before the end of the 2014-15 season, via Mark Montieth of Pacers.com:

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It's very possible that I can play (this season). I've talked to all the guys and said, 'Man, you guys have to get in the playoffs. That's the best chance I've got of coming back and playing this year.' I've already got it in mind that I could miss this whole year. I'm come to peace with that, but I'd love to be able to come back and play again.

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Updates from Monday, Sept. 29

Candice Buckner of The Indianapolis Star shared a photo of Paul George from Pacers media day:

Original Text

Paul George recently took one of the first big steps in his recovery from his likely season-ending leg injury, as the Indiana Pacers forward has begun working out his upper body and is getting close to being off crutches entirely. 

"He's down to one crutch or no crutches," coach Frank Vogel told reporters Thursday at the Pacers' annual golf event in Indianapolis (via ESPN). "For the past three or four weeks, he's been doing core work, upper-body work in the weight room, and they want him to put weight on it."

George, 24, suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg last month during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas before the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Attempting to block a James Harden shot attempt, George's leg bent awkwardly when his foot landed partially on the stanchion under the hoop, sending his body weight backward.

John Locher/Associated Press

The two-time All-NBA star underwent emergency surgery the same night. He is widely expected to miss the entire 2014-15 season, though the Pacers have not ruled him out. In a recent interview with former Pacers great Reggie Miller, George indicated he's feeling physically fine while admitting being away from the team will be difficult.

"I'm feeling good. You know, this is probably still a tough time just because all the guys that are starting to show up at this point in the season," George said, via Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star. "For the most part, were looking forward to this year to play alongside with me. And to not be out there with those guys, it's a reality check at this point."

Eastern Conference finalists each of the last two seasons, George's injury and Lance Stephenson's departure in free agency have the Pacers merely hoping to land a playoff spot. Indiana, which used George and Stephenson as co-lead ball-handlers in most high-priority offensive sets, will instead be reliant on George Hill and free-agent signee Rodney Stuckey.

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

The Pacers defense, which led the league in efficiency each of the last two seasons, per NBA.com, is also likely to take a noticeable dip. George and Stephenson were widely viewed as the NBA's best perimeter-defending duo. George earned his second consecutive All-Defensive selection; Stephenson was a borderline All-Star in the first half. 

Hill is a plus defender in his own right, but Frank Vogel is going to be more reliant than ever on Roy Hibbert to clean up mistakes on the wing by using his massive 7'2" body at the rim.

All things considered, everyone in the Pacers locker room and front office knows 2014-15 is already a wash. Indiana's main concerns at this point are doing enough to sneak into the playoffs and ensuring George comes back at 100 percent health.

"I think this has been my approach every year, whether you're a front-runner or an underdog," Vogel said. "We have everything we need to compete at the highest level."

Having signed a five-year maximum contract last September, the Pacers and George are together for the long haul. Once the crutches are a thing of the past, George can start getting to work on ensuring that haul will be fruitful.

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