Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Paul George suffered a gruesome fracture to his right leg Friday night during a Team USA intrasquad scrimmage in Las Vegas. Doctors expect George to miss the entire 2014-2015 NBA season.
George suffered an open tibia-fibula fracture less than a minute into the fourth quarter while fouling Houston's James Harden on a drive to the basket. USA Basketball officials confirmed the injury in a statement.
He was taken to a local hospital, where surgery was performed. According to physicians, there appears to be no additional damage to George's leg.
Thanks everybody for the love and support.. I'll be ok and be back better than ever!!! Love y'all!! #YoungTrece
— Paul George (@Paul_George24) August 2, 2014
George was on the floor for about 15 minutes after the injury. Medics stabilized the leg and George was removed from UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center on a stretcher. Family members went with George to the hospital, where they were eventually joined by Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Players were visible shaken as they witnessed George stretched out on the floor.
All you need to know about the seriousness of Paul George's injury is that I'm looking at Kyrie Irving sobbing,crying in his Dads arms. — MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) August 2, 2014
"This is a tough blow, not only for USA basketball but for the Indiana Pacers," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said. "And so as an organization we're just going to let a little time go by here before we address rosters. ... It seems so unimportant in the scheme of things. When you have something like this, it puts things in perspective."
Team USA players were divided into a Blue and White squad. George was a member of the Blue team, which trailed by 10 points at the time of his injury.
The game was immediately called off after George was taken from the arena.
George is regarded as the most important player on the Pacers' roster. He averaged 21.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last season in leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Paul George is out of surgery. Word is it went well and there's hope he could return before end of next year, but probably miss season
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 2, 2014
A two-time All-Star, George signed a five-year, $90 million extension with Indiana that was set to begin next season.
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