Apr 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) and guard C.J. Miles (0) help forward Paul George (13) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Indiana Pacers 95-83 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George looked good at the Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge the other day, but the Indiana Pacers star had only recently gotten to where he was healthy enough to play in the game.

According to Michael Marot of the Associated Press, George’s injury against the Memphis Grizzlies was bothering him for weeks afterward.

It was a stark contrast to what fans witnessed when they last saw George competing April 15. That was the night Indiana’s season ended with a loss at Memphis and George gave Pacers fans another scare when he had to be carried into the locker room late in the game. Fortunately, he was only diagnosed with a strained right calf. But the effects lingered for weeks. “It scared me a lot because I felt the pop and I heard the pop. I knew that was not good,” George said before being asked whether he could have played – if Indiana had made the playoffs. “I was done. It would have been at least a four- or five-week thing.”

So if Indiana had won that game at the end of the regular-season, George wasn’t going to be part of the Pacers playoff run unless they somehow got to the finals. George joked he would have been ready for the Golden State though.

As far as George’s recovery goes, everything is looking good and Pacers coach Frank Vogel is pleased with what he’s seen out of PG as of late.

Now, almost exactly two months later, George says he’s regained his timing, his explosiveness and his confidence, and coach Frank Vogel has detected a noticeable difference. “He looks really good,” Vogel said. “Obviously he was back and healthy enough to play last season, and now he’s taken another step. We’re encouraged with what he’s been able to do.” Vogel was so happy with what he saw that he seemed more concerned about pitching to George than seeing his best player get hurt – or plunked – by an errant throw.

Marot also highlighted that Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis was also being watched closely at the softball game. Both Mathis and George have been on their roads to recovery together, at one point sporting matching braces at Roy Hibbert’s wedding.

Thankfully for both, they are ready to go for their respective upcoming seasons.