Paul George will return for Pacers on Sunday night

"It's very possible that I can play (this season)," Paul George said during Indiana Pacers Media Day, just before the start of the NBA preseason. 

At the time, it seemed blindly optimistic; naive, even. George was just two months removed from one of the more traumatic leg injuries you'll ever see. A return so soon hardly seemed desirable, let alone prudent. 

And yet, on Saturday, after eight months of grueling rehab and weeks of speculation, George announced that he will make his return to the Pacers' lineup on Sunday. 

The Pacers confirmed that their star swingman will be in uniform for the game, a virtual must-win home date against the Miami Heat that could have major playoff implications.

"The recovery has been a long process and this is another step in the process," George said Saturday. "I thank everyone, my family, friends, doctors, our training staff, coaches, the entire Pacers’ family for their support and encouragement. I’m excited, but at the same time I’m aware I’m still in a rehab stage and will continue to work to get back to full strength."

Last season, in his official coronation as a superstar, George averaged a career-high 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals, while leading the Pacers to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and to within two games of the NBA Finals. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team for a second straight year, and made his maiden appearance on the All-Defensive First Team.  

With so much time away from competitive basketball, it's doubtful we'll be seeing that Paul George - or anything close to it - this season. There will almost certainly be some rust to shake off, and regardless of how many windmills he's been throwing down in practice, George will need time to get his conditioning back up. The Pacers will be keeping a close eye on his minutes, at least for the immediate future. 

"We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury," said Pacers president Larry Bird. "He has worked hard to get to this point and still has work to do, but it’s a positive step toward what we hope will be a full recovery at some point. His minutes will be limited in games he plays as we evaluate his progress moving forward."

Dwyane Wade is nonetheless not taking George's return lightly. 

"Paul George is a threat by being on the floor. We have to respect him," Wade said. 

Despite losing nine of their last 12 games, the Pacers are still hanging around the Eastern Conference playoff picture, just a game-and-a-half back of Miami for the No. 8 seed. One imagines they'll be happy with whatever they can get from George, even if it's just an emotional lift. 

If nothing else, the crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse should be absolutely rocking.