After suffering a gruesome leg injury in August 2014 during a Team USA scrimmage, Paul George announced on his Instagram he will return to the Indiana Pacers lineup on Sunday. While it was expected that George would miss the whole season and up to 12 months total, he was ahead of schedule on rehab and was given the green light to return to the hardwood. For the Pacers, he could not have come back at a better time.
Paul George takes to Instagram to announce his return to the court Sunday night with a picture of his sneakers. pic.twitter.com/G8SFFzjabH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 4, 2015
“The recovery has been a long process and this is another step in the process,” said George in an official statement released by the team. “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.”
The Pacers are in a heated race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. They have done the best they could holding the fort down with George recovering. Sunday’s game will be against their arch-rival the Miami Heat, who are also fighting for the final playoff spot. The Pacers are currently 1.5 games behind Miami, making this a huge match-up as the teams come down the stretch. The Pacers have struggled the past few games, and could use an extra boost to reach the NBA playoofs. Just having George back on the court will motivate them, even if he does not see much playing time. He is the leader of this team, and they need their superstar.
“We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry 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.”
It would be a great story if the Pacers were able to make the postseason. But even if they do not, it will be great just to see George back on the court. The NBA world has been waiting to see him return, and he is finally ready to entertain us once again.