Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury Friday night in Team USA’s intrasquad scrimmage when he went up to block a shot and came down against the basket support, his lower right leg buckling beneath him.
The remainder of the scrimmage was canceled.
ESPN showed one replay before the broadcast crew informed viewers that because of the vividness of the injury, no more replays would be shown. This reporter could only compare it to the injury suffered by Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann during a Monday Night football game against the New York Giants,. Except this was worse.
ESPN later showed the replay on SportsCenter, warning viewers beforehand that the footage was gruesome.
The image posted here was widely shared on social media within minutes of the injury. We are posting it on this site because it is newsworthy.
The injury happened early in the fourth quarter in transition as George went up to try in an attempt to block a fast break layup by James Harden. As he landed, George’s right foot appeared to become slightly wedged beneath the base of the basket support. As his weight carried him forward, his foot was wedged beneath the basket stanchion. His right leg snapped.
“Out of respect to Paul and his family, the scrimmage is done,” coach Mike Krzyzewski announced to the crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center. Earlier Friday, Krzyzewski said the U.S. roster would be trimmed to 14-15 players after the scrimmage.
“We need to step back before we do anything,” USA executive director Jerry Colangelo said, announcing that roster decisions would be put off indefinitely.
NBATV showed a replay of injury.