Paul George on 1st practice: 'Just running gives me a smile'

Every step Paul George took on the practice court Thursday afternoon looked effortless, smooth, and even more so, progressive.

George, wearing Nike low tops and his No. 13 jersey, participated in his first full practice of the season, beating his personal goal of March 1 by several days.

"Felt good. Felt really good," George said after the workout, "to be able to go through a full practice now and go up and down, it's a big step for me."

Though George has been cleared to practice with teammates, the Indiana Pacers still have not set a timetable for his return to playing in games. Previously, George had said he would like to play in his first game by mid-March. However on Thursday, George, who suffered an open fracture of the tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg on Aug. 1, would only repeat his optimism for such an early comeback for the court, without stating a firm date.

"I'm still hopeful," George said. "That's the date that I wish to return. (But it's a) long ways away, still got some steps and some hurdles to overcome. That's still a goal of mine."

Pacers coach Frank Vogel defined Thursday as simply the next stage in a seven-month-long rehabilitation process, but with many more days ahead before a full return.

"We want him to come back when he's ready to come back. He's eager to get out on the court, but he's not going to do it before he's ready," Vogel said. "We understand once he's medically cleared to play in a game, then there's going to be: Is he ready to play in a game? And that could be a few more weeks beyond that. It's really going to be something we monitor almost on a daily basis and hopefully it progresses as well."

Over the past several weeks, George has increased his level of activity, hopping in and out of drills and plays with teammates. On Thursday, George had no limitations in his first entry into full-court, 5-on-5 work. Still, Vogel said George's day was not markedly different from his previous workouts in practices.

"This is not a dramatic step from where he was," Vogel said. "Just taking a step. Nothing more than that."

Still, this "nothing" provided the next achievement toward a full recovery.

On Thursday, while C.J. Miles climbed on the elliptical bike in the weight room, George turned his practice jersey to the blue side – the color worn by the starters – and worked as part of a five-man lineup that included George Hill, Solomon Hill and Roy Hibbert.

George mostly operated from the left wing and top of the key. Once, the ball swung his way and George attempted a mid-range jumper.

"Good shot, P.G.!" several players called out though the ball missed the target.

Another time, George dropped down in a defensive stance and showed no reluctance in chasing speedy point guard Donald Sloan to the paint. Although there was never a time in the final minutes of practice – at least in front of the assembled media – when George had to show explosiveness or make a strong basketball move, several teammates approved of his play.

"He looked good," Hibbert said. "He's going to have some rust, but all in all, I think he did a helluva good job today."

Added David West: "He's a ways away, he's just got to keep working and working toward getting more healthy. But everybody's behind him. We're going to support him. He's out there jumping in and out and doing alright."

George said he has added 10 pounds to his frame and feels stronger. Also, since George has spent months participating in 3-point drills, he feels that his shooting has improved since the injury. Now, George can put his strength and shooting skills to the test every time the team practices.

George will still have days off, as part of his normal recovery process, as well as experience soreness in his leg. However, every practice will be a measuring stick for health as the team's medical staff evaluates how his leg responds. The team has previously announced that the decision for George to play in games will remain with the medical staff.

"Just continuing to put some wear and tear on it," George said of his upcoming plans for practice. "Still got to go through some pounding, some more practices under my legs. Getting up and down and running and getting conditioned again. Before, I think, the whole medical staff will be ready for me to be out there."

Still, as he stood before the cameras and microphones, not sweating a drop, George displayed a sense of relief and delight. By any standard, Thursday looked like a typical practice. However, for George, it was a leap.

"After (the injury) happened, I didn't think I'd be where I'm at right now up to this point ... If you had seen what I saw," George said. "But I'm happy to be at this point, happy to be practicing again, but just running gives me a smile.

"Things are looking good," George continued. "Again, I'm happy where I'm at right now. Still got a long ways to go but for me to set a date (for practice) and be able to come back before that date, it's a lot of positives."

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

How soon do you want to see Paul George in game action? Let us know on the IndyStar Sports Facebook page.

CLEVELAND at INDIANA

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Friday.

TV: Fox Sports Indiana.

Radio: WFNI-107.5 FM, 1070 AM.

CAVALIERS (36-22)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG Kyrie Irving 21.6 5.3 apg SG J.R. Smith 12.6 2.6 rpg SF LeBron James 25.7 7.3 apg PF Kevin Love 16.9 10.4 rpg C Timofey Mozgov 10.5 8.1 rpg 6th Iman Shumpert 7.3 2.7 rpg

PACERS (23-34)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG George Hill 13.5 3.9 apg SG C.J. Miles 12.7 3.0 rpg SF Solomon Hill 9.5 4.0 rpg PF David West 12.7 7.2 rpg C Roy Hibbert 10.9 7.1 rpg 6th Rodney Stuckey 12.2 3.4 rpg

STORYLINES

Logjams for each: The Pacers and Cavs have congestion at different points in the standings. The Cavs entered Thursday as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are 1.5 games out of second place Toronto, but they could drop to fourth if Chicago can muster a final push without Derrick Rose. The Pacers have more company. They are a full game behind Brooklyn for the eighth and final playoff position, but they are two games behind in the loss column. As it stands, Brooklyn, Detroit, Indiana and Boston are in a wickedly tight battle for that last playoff spot.

Repeating a win? Clevelandhas been one of the league's hottest teams, winning 17 of its past 19 games, but one of those losses was Feb. 6 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 103-99. (The Cavs also lost at Chicago on Feb. 12.) Before Tuesday's loss at Oklahoma City, the Pacers had won six of seven, and they'd done so in strong fashion.

Prediction: The key might be Thursday's action, or inaction as it were. Cleveland hosted Golden State and then had to travel; the Pacers were off. Rest is key. Pacers win 102-100.

— Curt Cavin