Vogel: Paul George isn't playing Saturday

CLEVELAND -- Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel said All-Star forward Paul George will not be returning to the court Saturday and the team re-affirmed that late Friday night, announcing he was "out" against the Nets.

An ESPN report stated that Paul George has targeted the next week to make his season debut and could return as early as Saturday night when the Pacers host the Brooklyn Nets.

After the Pacers dropped their fourth consecutive game, a 95-92 loss to Cleveland, Vogel appeared to be caught off guard when he was asked specifically if George was playing Saturday and flatly said: "No."

"We'll tell you when he's going to play," said Vogel, who was unaware of the report that had circulated Friday evening while his team prepared to play the Cavs.

Pacers teammates also learned about the reported return for the first time after the game. When asked for their reaction that George could soon make his comeback, each player expressed surprise.

"Is there? Is there?!" Roy Hibbert repeated when told about the report. "Aww, man. They don't tell me anything."

Then, when the two closest teammates seated next to him, Donald Sloan and Solomon Hill, inquired for more information, Hibbert shared what a reporter had just told him.

"There's a report out saying that Paul may be back next week or tomorrow," Hibbert told his two attentive teammates. "I don't even know about that. ESPN knows about that."

Added George Hill: "I didn't see that (story). I don't pay attention to that. Whenever he's ready, he's ready. I'm not the one that's going to force him to come back in and play. But as long as he's ready mentally, that's all that matters."

George suffered a severe broken leg Aug. 1 in a scrimmage for USA Basketball in Las Vegas. He returned to practice Feb. 26 and was targeting a mid-March return but seemed to back off that timetable last week.

"I'm on the fence," said George on March 13. "Part of me is (thinking), they're playing so well, they've come together, to shake up the chemistry and add another body, another player in there ... I don't want to be that guy that destroys what these guys have going.

"On the other hand, there's a part of me that's like, 'I can definitely help.' It's a difficult point in my role right now, but we'll take it day-to-day."

George made those comments when the Pacers had won seven consecutive games and 13 of 15. They have since lost four straight and are currently out of the playoffs in ninth place, falling behind the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Pacers on March 14.

Follow Star reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandanceDBuckner.