Paul George is expected to return to action this season, but it’s still unclear when his first appearance might be.
The two-time All-Star originally targeted a March 1 return to full practice, which he beat by several days. Then, after two weeks, he hoped to suit up.
Pacers guard Paul George tells Yahoo that he is eyeing a mid-March return from his leg injury that could include a 3/14 return vs Boston.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) February 13, 2015
On Tuesday, NBA TV announced that they would televise the Pacers game Saturday when the Boston Celtics are in town. (Just in case, right!?)
Later Tuesday, about 90 minutes before the Pacers tipped against the Orlando Magic, coach Frank Vogel told FOX Sports Indiana’s Jeremiah Johnson that George will not play on March 14.
Frank Vogel @FSIndiana on Paul George, "Still a ways away, not going to play March 14th, we're watching him progress…"
— Jeremiah Johnson (@JJFSINDIANA) March 10, 2015
That’s similar to what I’ve heard.
Paul is making strides and looking better and better with each day, but he doesn’t have ‘it’ back. George has experienced soreness, which is not unexpected, as he tries to fight back from a compound fracture in his right leg suffered back on August 1.
[Kaden Curtis gets his wish, meets Paul George]
After the game, coach Vogel expanded on his comments.
“There’s no timetable for Paul George,” he said. “When he gets close, we’ll let you guys know. Paul was hoping for March 14th, but we just have never had the mindset that March 14th was the date.”
Watch Paul George move at his first full practice on Feb. 27: