George still working his way back

Paul George was hoping to return to play for the Indiana Pacers this weekend. Now he’s not so sure he’ll play at all this season.

The Pacers guard told reporters at practice on Friday that he was concerned his return would affect the team’s chemistry. The Pacers have won seven consecutive games and 13 of the last 15.

“I’m on the fence,” George said. “Part of me is, they’re playing so well, they’ve come together, to shake up the chemistry and add another body, another player in there … I don’t want to be that guy that destroys what these guys have going.”

The two-time All-Star said he feels good about his recovery from a broken right leg that he suffered while playing for Team USA in an exhibition on Aug. 1.

“This week’s Paul George is blowing the Paul George of the last two to three weeks out of the water,” he said.

George said he’s evaluating his status day by day with no return date set in stone. When he does return, he just wants to fit in.

“It’s different if this was the beginning of the year and we were still trying to find our way,” George said. “But these guys are playing at the top of their game right now and the last thing I want to do is slow them down.”