Pacers' Paul George suffers severe leg fracture at USA Basketball showcase

LAS VEGAS -- Pacers forward Paul George suffered an open tibia-fibula fracture in his right leg during USA Basketball's intrasquad showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday.

USA Basketball announced early Saturday morning that George underwent successful surgery to address the fracture, and that he will remain hospitalized for three days as he recovers from the procedure. Yahoo Sports reports that George will "likely" miss the 2014-15 season as he recovers from the gruesome injury, which occurred with 9:33 remaining in the fourth quarter and Team White leading Team Blue 81-71. George's right leg bent sharply against the basket stanchion as he attempted to contest a layup attempt by James Harden. 

The Thomas & Mack Center crowd began chanting "U-S-A" and "Paul! George!" to show their support for George, who remained down on the ground for some time as medical personnel attended to him. His teammates circled around him, clapping their support as he was lifted onto the stretcher. George's hands covered his face as he was transported off the court.

"There's a brotherhood in the NBA," USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said afterwards. "In moments like this, a brotherhood shows its heart and it shows its depth.”

NBA players send well wishes to Pacers' Paul George on Twitter

The remainder of the scrimmage was canceled immediately following George's injury, which appeared quite serious and left the building in a state of unease.

“In respect to Paul and his family, the scrimmage is done," USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said, using a microphone to address the crowd from center court. "We want to thank you for your support.” 

In a post-game press conference, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo added: "This is a very tough blow. Not so much about us, but about Paul. [The injury] is a first for us in USA Basketball. ... It’s very, very emotional. There’s no way the game could have gone on under the circumstances.”

The 24-year-old George averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, earning All-Star, All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team honors. He was a projected starter for USA Basketball's FIBA World Cup team, which is set to begin play on Aug. 30 in Spain.

"Thanks everybody for the love and support," George wrote on Twitter on Friday. "I'll be OK and [I will] be back better than ever!!! Love y'all!!!"

USA Basketball canceled all post-game media availability for its players, although a number of George's teammates posted messages of support on Twitter. Krzyzewski and Colangelo then briefly addressed the media in a press conference, and both men looked shaken by the night's events.

Krzyzewski told reporters that George's parents were in attendance at the game and that they had accompanied their son to Sunrise Hospital. Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard was also with George.

Pacers president Larry Bird issued a statement on Friday night addressing the injury.

"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," Bird's statement read. "At this time our thoughts and prayers are with Paul. We are still gathering details and will have an updated statement Saturday."

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Indiana has advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in each of the last two seasons and were seen as one of the East's top teams entering the 2014-15 season.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver also expressed his concern for George in a statement late Friday.

"It was difficult to watch the injury that Paul George sustained tonight while representing his country," Silver said. "The thoughts and prayers of all of us are with Paul and his family."

Both the nature and severity of George's injury are sure to raise questions. Some NBA owners and executives have long stated their preference for their stars to skip international competitions, as a worst-case scenario like George's injury so directly impacts his NBA team's fortunes. The fact that George's injury was caused in part by the stanchion is also a concern, as the location of the basket support looked significantly closer to the baseline at the Thomas & Mack Center than it is under an NBA arena setup.

George, playing for Team Blue, left the game scoreless (on 0-for-7 shooting) with three rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes.