Team USA’s Paul George has successful surgery on broken leg
Team USA player Paul George suffered an open tibia-fibula fracture in his right leg Friday night during the USA Basketball Showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center, according to a USA Basketball release early Saturday.
George, a star guard for the Indiana Pacers, was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he underwent successful surgery. Dr. David Silverberg, Dr. Joseph Yu and USA Basketball team physician Riley Williams were present for the surgery.
George was resting comfortably and is expected to remain hospitalized for about three days.
George, who was playing for the Blue team in the Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage, suffered the injury with 9:33 to play. He jumped in an attempt to block James Harden’s layup and landed awkwardly on his right leg.
He laid in pain under the basket for 15 minutes before being placed on a stretcher and taken off the court. Shortly thereafter, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski took the microphone and announced to the crowd of 12,186 that the game would not be resumed. The White led at the time, 81-71.
George was one of 20 players vying for 12 roster spots for the U.S. team that will play in the FIBA World Cup, which begins Aug. 30 in Spain.
