Pacers forward Paul George will likely return to the floor before season's end, but nobody knows quite when just yet.
George addressed the media Monday, saying that he isn't in a rush to get back to the floor.
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"I still don't know when my return date will be," George told reporters after the Pacers' shootaround. "I wanted it to be March 14, but that obviously didn't happen. We're just being smart about the situation. When the time's ready, I'll be back out there."
Reports surfaced Friday that George could make his much anticipated return Saturday against the Nets, but according to Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird, there's still some work to be done. Even with the Pacers just a half game out of the No. 8 seed in the East, George's comfort level and game readiness remains paramount.
"He's getting a lot better. I think he's gotta go through a series of tests this week, just like we've always been doing to see where he's at," said Bird, per ESPN. "I think he's cleared by the doctors to play, but obviously he's not in shape.
"Just because he's cleared to play doesn't mean he's in shape to play. And I don't want Paul to go out there until he feels comfortable with his conditioning and the way he's practicing. I'd like to see him do a little bit better."
George won't play in Monday's home game against the Rockets, but did say that he would like to return at home if possible. The Pacers' next home game will be on Sunday against the Mavericks, and Indianapolis won't return home again until Friday, April 3.
"Obviously, I think it would be a better moment coming back here," George said. "I think I owe it to the fans for them to get the first glimpse of my first night on the floor."