Paul George taken off the floor on a stretcher.
Paul George went up to contest a James Harden layup and suffered a severe lower right leg injury on his way down. His right leg, below the knee, snapped to nearly a 90-degree angle.
Paul George’s parents, Paul Sr. and Paulette, were in attendance and watched on as their son was placed on a stretcher.
Just horrific.
“We are aware of the injury sustained by Paul George in Friday night’s Team USA game in Las Vegas and we are obviously greatly concerned,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement.” At this time our thoughts and prayers are with Paul. We are still gathering details and will have an updated statement Saturday.”
[Click here for video of the incident, but be warned that it’s very tough to watch.]
The extent of his injury is not immediately clear.
George was out in Las Vegas, excited to play for Team USA ahead of the FIBA World Cup that begins at the end of the month. Friday night’s game was an intrasquad scrimmage as they tried to trim the roster down from 20.
Once George was taken off the floor on a stretcher, head coach Mike Krzyzewski took the microphone to address the crowd at UNLV. He said that with respect to George’s injury and the game been halted, it was best to call the game. (The White Team led the Blue Team, 81-71.)
George was taken to the Hospital for Special Surgery with his parents, Paul Sr. and Paulette, along with Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard.
Pacers guard C.J. Watson, whose offseason home is in Las Vegas, met them there.
“@Paul_George24 is in good spirits keep him in ur prayers as he goes into surgery he gone be bak stronger than ever,” he tweeted at 10:27 p.m. PT.
“This is tough not only for USA Basketball, but also for the Indiana Pacers,” said USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo.
A formal statement will be released once doctors fully examined the injury and surgery, which began after 10:00 p.m., was complete.
Twitter reaction:
The players are literally sick watching Paul George on the court. Stretcher is out. What a horrible scene here in Vegas
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 2, 2014
Damn
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) August 2, 2014
Wtf
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) August 2, 2014
Man..
— Kevin Ware (@5Juice) August 2, 2014
Lord please keep my brother @Paul_George24 in your hands. We pray for a speedy recovery and for him to come back better than every.
— Dahntay (@dahntay1) August 2, 2014
Please send a prayer up for @Paul_George24 and his family
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) August 2, 2014
Everybody say your prayers for @Paul_George24 and his family. He will come back stronger from this. #USA
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) August 2, 2014
God bless u my brother @Paul_George24. Im hurt, praying for you. Praying for peace. Praying that God heals you in a supernatural way.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 2, 2014
Man just landed and got a message about @Paul_George24. Made me immediately sick to my stomach!! Praying for u a speedy recovery homie!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 2, 2014
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
Prayers up for the homie @Paul_George24 hope he’s aight
— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) August 2, 2014
Was courtside 2 seasons ago for similar injury in Indianapolis during NCAAs. Have same sad,somber feeling and reaction. Tears and Prayers
— Clark Kellogg (@PacerCK) August 2, 2014
@paul_george24 praying for you bro
— Lance Stephenson (@StephensonLance) August 2, 2014
PG taken off the floor.