Paul George feels ready, waits on Pacers to feel the same

Paul George was one of the last players on the practice floor Saturday afternoon. After the team drills broke up, George ran from baseline to baseline, then knocked down more than 60 3-pointers from various spots around the arc. The extra work continues to embolden George that he can soon make his season debut for the Indiana Pacers – but not enough to encourage the team's medical staff and coaches to put him on the court just yet.

"I thought I could give something (when I was) in the boot, I was ready to play then," said George, boasting his confidence that he's able to play. "I feel good but it's not just me that has to feel good, everyone has to feel good about it. That's what we're waiting on. It could be close, it could be not but everybody's got to be on the same page with this."

The Pacers have already ruled out George for Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks and still have not announced a return date.

The rehabilitation from Aug. 1, when George fractured his right leg in a USA basketball team scrimmage, has been an all-consuming process. Beginning with crutches, then progressing to a walking boot before working on an elliptical machine to now practicing with teammates for a month. However, after Sunday, only nine more games remain on the regular-season schedule and George has not accomplished the final step to recovery, at least in the eyes of those who will decide if he's ready to play.

"I've passed all the tests, I feel," George said. "The last is just doing it consistently and over a long period of time of having great practices. I feel like I'm having great practices by me making shots and making plays but they're like, 'we need to see you move better and look good on the court moving.' It's not about the plays. That's the last step."

While George has watched from the sidelines, the Pacers (31-41) have staggered on the precipice of making the playoffs or ending the season on April 15. Indiana has lost seven of the last eight and stand a game behind the eighth-seeded Boston Celtics for the final playoff spot. Still, George said he does not believe that time is running short on making his comeback this season.

"I'm going with the flow," George said. "Whenever that time to get out there (will be) the right time.

"I'm taking it one day at a time," he continued. "Whenever it is, I know I'll be ready and the staff will feel comfortable with me being ready."

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.