Paul George makes first shot in return from leg injury (Video)
Paul George made his season debut on Sunday after eight months on the sideline as a result of a broken leg suffered while on duty with Team USA last summer.
The 24-year-old received a warm welcome from those at Bankers Life Fieldhouse when he was introduced as a substitute with 5:34 left in the first quarter. A short time later, George made his first shot attempt after working off of a screen set by Roy Hibbert. George finished the game with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 15 minutes. It was also the first time we were able to see him in his new uniform number.
While he isn’t yet back to 100 percent, anything the Pacers get from George for remainder of the season will be a bonus. Sunday’s victory leaves the Pacers tied for ninth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, one game back of the Celtics with five games remaining.
Even if Indiana isn’t getting the all-star version of Paul George, having him back in even a limited capacity could be enough to get the Pacers back to the postseason. That they’ve hung around to this point with a realistic shot seemed far fetched when the season began.
