George a doubt to play in Game 3 on Saturday night in Miami.
Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel has revealed that Paul George is feeling better after being diagnosed with concussion, but he is still uncertain to play.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat takes place on Saturday night at the AA Arena, but the two-time All-Star was limited to non-contact drills at practice on Thursday.
George suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the defeat in Game 2, where he collided with Miami’s Dwyane Wade and revealed to reporters after the game that he blacked out and had blurred vision after being hit on the back of the head by Wade’s knee.
According to the league’s concussion protocol, George will now have to undergo various tests before he is deemed available for selection, and coach Vogel has conceded that his team are preparing for both eventualities.
“There is a minimal contact requirement that he’s got to do and be tested afterward,” Vogel said, as reported by ESPN, referring to NBA rules governing medical clearance.
“We are preparing for both (possibilities),” Vogel said. “I think we have guys that can fill in, certainly not play at Paul’s level. But we would have to adjust the end result at the time, and I’m sure we will be able to do that.”
Team-mate George Hill suffered a similar knock in the Eastern Conference semi-finals last year and missed Game 5 against the New York Knicks before returning for Game 6.
Further, the point guard is confident that George will not give the medical staff incorrect information in order to be available to play on Saturday, as ultimately he has been honest since first suffering the injury.
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