Indiana Pacers star Paul George broke his leg during Friday's Team USA basketball showcase. George, who underwent surgery shortly after suffering the compound fracture, is now at risk to miss the entire upcoming NBA season.
George landed awkwardly on his right leg, which bent upon impact after appearing to hit the basket stanchion, after leaping to block a shot. He immediately crumpled to the court and remained down while teammates reacted in horror. Medical personnel eventually carried the 24-year-old out on a gurney.
George's injury was an open tibia-fibula fracture in his right leg, according to both USA Today Sports and ESPN. He underwent successful surgery hours after the accident at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.
No timetable for his recovery was given, leading to the possibility George could miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season.
"It is way to early to speculate on his return, as the No. 1 priority for everyone will be his recovery," Pacers president Larry Bird said in a statement, via USA Today Sports. "Our initial discussions with our doctors and the doctors in Las Vegas have us very optimistic. We are hopeful at some point next week Paul will return to Indianapolis to continue his recovery."
George, despite the seriousness of the injury, remained optimistic he would be back stronger than ever.
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
The loss of George is a blow to Team USA, which was already thin on big men. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, though, declined to discuss the team's next move.
"Everything's on hold, and it should be," he said, via ESPN. "It would be so inappropriate for us to talk about anything else when there is an injury like this."
