Paul George wants to be Pacers' missing piece

Paul George wouldn't put a date on when he expects to return to the Indiana Pacers, but he does have a clear view of how he wants that comeback to end.

"Pacers are headed to the championship," he said with a laugh after Thursday's practice.

On Feb. 5, George, who severely broke his leg on Aug. 1 during a Team USA scrimmage, said it would only take him "a good week or two until I feel comfortable with my conditioning that I could play." But asked on the one-week anniversary of his return to practice if he was halfway there, George said there was no timetable on his return.

George said he is still building confidence in his strength and ability to push off the leg. He said it would take time to regain his form once he starts playing in games again.

"I'm coming along," George said. "It's always a matter of how sore I'll feel. That's the only thing giving me days (where) I'm not coming along. I get sore sometimes. But while I'm on the court, I don't feel any pain holding me back."

The Pacers are finally healthy -- with the exception of George, of course -- and playing some of the best basketball in the NBA with a league-best 9-2 mark since February.

George is excited about what he could bring to the current team.

"That's how I see the whole picture playing out, me being the missing piece and healthy and full strength and the freshest out of the group going into the most important part of our season, the playoffs," George said. "If I can make an appearance and start rolling leading into the playoffs, the story will write itself."