What should have been a terrific night of scrimmage basketball for Team USA turned into a nightmare on Friday when Paul George of the Indiana Pacers suffered a gruesome leg injury in the third quarter after landing on the backstop of the basket.
There was initially a great vibe to start the final Showcase game with much anticipation surrounding the activities of Derrick Rose, who did not disappoint. Airing live on ESPN, it was the first time everyone had the chance to see how the point guard has progressed since suffering a torn meniscus that forced him to miss most of the past season. There were other fun and intriguing things going on during the contest: teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were matched up against each other at shooting guard, DeMarcus Cousins and Mason Plumlee were battling it out for a roster spot, and Damian Lillard hit a near full-court shot to beat the buzzer at halftime.
Then came the dreadful play that ended the game abruptly.
James Harden was all alone for an easy layup after a Derrick Rose turnover when George ran back on defense as hard as he could in an attempt to block Harden’s shot at the basket. When George landed, however, his lower right leg appeared to snap after colliding with the backstop of the basket. Although he remained calm throughout the process, the look of his teammates made it clear that the injury was of the severest kind as he eventually got carted off the court.
It was a tough situation to swallow for all involved, and coach Mike Krzyzewski took the mic to announce that the remainder of the game would be called off due to Paul’s injury.
After learning of what occurred, players around the league were quick to show tremendous support and sympathy for their comrade:
Damn I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy prayers to the homie @Paul_George24 we going to win this gold for you bruh!!
— Kenneth Faried (@KennethFaried35) August 2, 2014
Prayers up for the homie @Paul_George24 #speechless
— Darren Collison (@Darren_Collison) August 2, 2014
Prayers go out to @Paul_George24 and his family! Keep ya head up G!
— James Harden (@JHarden13) August 2, 2014
— Marcus Camby (@MarcusCamby23) August 2, 2014
Hurt my stomach the moment I heard the news! I didn’t want to believe it. Man I need u out there bro!… http://t.co/2ueciPRgtN
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 2, 2014
Prayers go out to my bro @Paul_George24 & his family. Sad day!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 2, 2014
Man I hate to see that happen to my man PG. Get well soon bro.
— Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) August 2, 2014
a stronger individual than before. It forces your mind to will the body to a place it hasn’t experienced! I
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) August 2, 2014
believe in Paul George and his recovery back to the top! 100
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) August 2, 2014
Paul George. I& everyone else is Praying for ur speedy recovery!We all believe u will recover! Damn hard but keeping positive thoughts!
— Beno Udrih (@BenoUdrih1) August 2, 2014
Man just landed in Orlando and heard what happen to my big bro @Paul_George24 you will come back even stronger fam praying for you bro.
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) August 2, 2014
#PrayForPG paul_george24 http://t.co/4BeYMJxtUO
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummondd) August 2, 2014
All my thoughts to Paul George right now. Good luck for the recovery and hope to see you soon back on the court.
— Boris Diaw (@theborisdiaw) August 2, 2014
@Paul_George24 praying for you!
— Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) August 2, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to @Paul_George24 and his family
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) August 2, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to @Paul_George24 and his family #usa
— Mason Plumlee (@masonplumlee) August 2, 2014
Sending my prayers out to @Paul_George24 I hate to see that happen to any player that loves the game of ball. Get well soon man stay strong.
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) August 2, 2014
I’m shocked and in disbelief on such a tragic & terrible accident to @Paul_George24. This hurts us all in the @NBA family. Praying for you.
— Charlie Villanueva (@CVBelieve) August 2, 2014
Please pray for #paulGeorge Man speed recovery and stay strong! #God #goodpeople
— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo0) August 2, 2014
Praying for my Brother @Paul_George24! We are all here for you! You will get through this! Love you bro!
— Rasual Butler (@RasualButler45) August 2, 2014
Thoughts and prayers going out to @Paul_George24. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 2, 2014
Just watching @WindhorstESPN on Sportscenter, and he’s right!!!! Why was the basket so close?!!!!! It’s never that close!! Smh
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 2, 2014
Prayers for Paul George and his family.
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) August 2, 2014
Man my prayers go out to Paul George! Sucks to see that!
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) August 2, 2014
Prayed goes out to @Paul_George24 #speedyrecovery
— Eric Bledsoe (@EBled2) August 2, 2014
Stay strong bro http://t.co/ScqKSHHMEe
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) August 2, 2014
Prayers go out to @Paul_George24. Get well my man
— Paul Millsap (@Paulmillsap4) August 2, 2014
Prayers up for @Paul_George24 .Everyone take a minute and say a prayer or send some words of encouragement to him. He will come back strong.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) August 2, 2014
Prayers go out! Always hate to see someone injured @Paul_George24
— chase budinger (@CBudinger) August 2, 2014
That stuff is crazy man I hate to see anyone get hurt but pg the ultimate competitor and a real cool dude it messed me up
— Jeff Teague (@Teague0) August 2, 2014
Smh head man prayers out 2 Paul George man that sad 2 see…
— Marquis Teague (@marquisteague25) August 2, 2014
Praying for my dude paul_george24 I hate seeing stuff like that man http://t.co/SEiJusu9tw
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) August 2, 2014
Pray for PG and his family! Pray for the Doctors overseeing his recovery and that he comes back stronger than before. #USA
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 2, 2014
Sending prayers of a healthy and speedy recovery for my brother @Paul_George24! We are all here for you P.
— DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan) August 2, 2014
My Prayers go out Paul George hurts me so bad seeing my Nba brothers go down on major injury pray for a speedy recovery
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) August 2, 2014
Prayers going up homie. Stay strong. http://t.co/NnW5fjbx0q
— IG: stak5ots (@DaTrillStak5) August 2, 2014
Shit crazy man @Paul_George24 praying for u bro
— Tyreke Evans (@TyrekeEvans) August 2, 2014
Sick to my stomach for Paul George. He’s tough as nails though. He’ll be back big time.
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) August 2, 2014
Praying for Paul George man. I didn’t see don’t wanna see. So please don’t post it. Tough injury to one of the best
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) August 2, 2014
God bless u my brother @Paul_George24. Im hurt, praying for you. Praying for peace. Praying that God heals you in a supernatural way.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 2, 2014
Hope the best for you man! @Paul_George24
— Drew Gooden (@DrewGooden) August 2, 2014
Everybody say your prayers for @Paul_George24 and his family. He will come back stronger from this. #USA
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) August 2, 2014
Please send a prayer up for @Paul_George24 and his family
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) August 2, 2014
Dang just learned about the injury. PRAYERS
— Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 2, 2014
Just got home and watched the Paul George highlight, kid hang in there, always light at the end of any dark tunnel!! #GetWell #Pacers4Life
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) August 2, 2014
Everybody pray for my bro @Paul_George24 and wish him a speedy recovery…Luv ya bro !!
— John Wall (@John_Wall) August 2, 2014
Pray for Paul G!!
— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) August 2, 2014
Keep PG in y’all prayers! Hate to see that
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) August 2, 2014
“@andre: Prayers for my man Paul George”-much respect to him and a speedy recovery
— Channing Frye (@Channing_Frye) August 2, 2014
@Paul_George24 prayers to you bro
— Wesley Matthews (@wessywes2) August 2, 2014
Praying for my little bro @Paul_George24
— Rudy Gay (@rudygay22) August 2, 2014
Praying for @Paul_George24 for not only the player he is but the person he is. Injuries are thee toughest part of sports
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) August 2, 2014
Prayers to Paul George
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) August 2, 2014
Damn, hate to see that happen.
— John Henson (@_John_Henson_) August 2, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to my guy @Paul_George24
— Kris Humphries (@KrisHumphries) August 2, 2014
Prayers out 2 Paul George!! Hate to see stuff like that happen smh
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas2) August 2, 2014
Prayers up for @Paul_George24… Get well Fam
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) August 2, 2014
Prayers for Paul George
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 2, 2014
My heart and prayers go to P George may god be with him and his family
— andray blatche (@drayblatche) August 2, 2014
Praying for PG
— Brandon E Knight (@BrandonKnight07) August 2, 2014
Just got home to my bros and seen this paul_george24 get well soon lil homie. http://t.co/OnVgtI7FB1
— 3D AKA D.SCOTT (@3Deezy) August 2, 2014
Prayers for my man Paul George
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) August 2, 2014
That just made me sad man damn!! Good player even better person!!!! Praying for a speedy recovery for PG!!
— Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) August 2, 2014
I feel so bad for @Paul_George24. Oh my goodness!!! Can’t wait to see him back on the court. Prayers!!!!!!
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) August 2, 2014
I’m not near a TV but I heard wat happen to PG smh damn….. My prayers goes out to him good dude right there…..
— Dion Waiters (@dionwaiters3) August 2, 2014
Prayers up for the homie @Paul_George24 hope he’s aight
— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) August 2, 2014
Prayers out to PG. Hate to see not only a great player get hurt. But he’s a good dude.
— Kemba walker (@KembaWalker) August 2, 2014
Pray for PG24. Injuries happen to us all, I pray for his speedy recovery and return to the floor.
— Iman Shumpert I (@I_Am_Iman) August 2, 2014
Prayers go out to @Paul_George24. What an awful awful thing to happen. Get better soon man.
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) August 2, 2014
Prayers up to @Paul_George24 hate to see that happen to anyone.
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) August 2, 2014
Thinking bout my bro #PG
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 2, 2014
Man just landed and got a message about @Paul_George24. Made me immediately sick to my stomach!! Praying for u a speedy recovery homie!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 2, 2014
Hate to see that happen to anyone
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) August 2, 2014
Prayers up for Paul George!!!!! I’ve been saying the backstop of the basket should be pushed back further
— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) August 2, 2014
I CANT BELIEVE WHAT I JUST WITNESSED.!! PRAYING FOR YOU @Paul_George24 #NBA
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) August 2, 2014
Prayers for Paul George.
— Steve Smith (@steve21smith) August 2, 2014
Wtf
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) August 2, 2014
I hope now they will move da basket back, if paul wouldn’t of hit the base of the basket. He would be ok, tell me what u think #moveitback
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 2, 2014
@Paul_George24 prayers go out to you God bless you
— Jason Terry (@jasonterry31) August 2, 2014
@paul_george24 praying for you bro
— Lance Stephenson (@StephensonLance) August 2, 2014
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James Park is the chief blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.