Paul George Has Concussion; Questionable for Game 3
By Evan Massey
May 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) lays on the floor after an apparent injury as his teammates guard George Hill (3), Lance Stephenson (1) and center Roy HIbbert (33) gather around to see if he is okay against the Miami Heat center in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Miami defeats Indiana 87-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Pacers lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat by a final score of 87-83, but they might have lost more than just the game. According to reports coming out today, Pacers superstar Paul George has been diagnosed with a concussion, and his status for Game 3 is in question. Indiana desperately will need George to play in Miami, and likely won’t have a chance against LeBron James and the Miami offense if he does miss the game.
George will have to undergo all NBA concussion protocols and tests before he is eligible to play in Game 3. The injury occurred when he took a knee to the back of the head by Dwyane Wade with 6:49 left in the fourth quarter of Game 2. He told the media that he had blacked out and suffered from blurred vision when the contact was made.
Indiana’s medical staff was not told by George that he had blacked out and was suffering from burred vision, and they allowed him to go back into the game and finish playing. When he was examined by the training staff, he did not exhibit any of the symptoms of a concussion, and that is why he was cleared to play.
The good news for the Pacers is that they have until Saturday night to get George prepared to play. Hopefully that will be enough time for him to get over the concussion and back into the flow of the game. Without him, the Pacers are going to have an incredibly difficult job defending against James and Wade for extended minutes.
Evan Massey is an Editor for InkOnIndy.com. Follow Evan on Twitter at @Massey_Evan. Make sure to follow us on twitter, @InkOnIndy, and “Like” us on Facebook.