Paul George (Leg) Will Be Out At Least 18 Months
After suffering a gruesome leg injury in the Team USA showcase scrimmage in Las Vegas on Friday, Indiana Pacers star Paul George had successful surgery to repair the compound tibia and fibula fractures in his right leg. He is expected to sit out anywhere from 12-18 months, per the NBA.
George is expected to miss the 2014-2015 NBA season as he recovers.
From USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo:
This is a first for us in USA Basketball, to have something like this take place. It’s a tough situation for our entire organization, the coaches, the players. Very, very emotional. There’s no way the game could have gone on under the circumstances.
From Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird:
We are hopeful at some point next week Paul will return to Indianapolis to continue his recovery. There is no question about the impact on our team but our goal is to be as strong-willed and determined as Paul will be in coming back. Our franchise has had setbacks in its history but has demonstrated the abilities to recover. Paul will provide the example of that off the court and it is up to the rest of us to provide that example on the court. Any discussion regarding the future of our team would be inappropriate at this time. Our focus is solely on Paul and doing whatever we can to help.
From Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski:
Everything’s on hold right and it should be. It would be so inappropriate for us to talk about anything else when there’s a serious injury like this.
George was one of the locks to make the final 12-man Team USA roster for the FIBA World Cup games, which begin on August 30.
