Paul George Injury Update: Pacers' star begins working through protocol to return for Game 3 against Heat

Paul George did not go through practice with the Pacers on Thursday but he was on the court, getting some work in and giving every indication he expects to be ready for Game 3.

By Tom Lewis@IndyCornrows May 22, 2014, 3:50pm EDT

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Pacers forward Paul George was forced to sit out the bulk of practice on Thursday as he works through the NBA's return-to-participation protocol following the concussion he suffered at the knee and foot of Dwyane Wade in Game 2. PG did get some working in on the court but wore a non-contact, red jersey just in case Robert Mathis showed up and tried to sack him.

.@Paul_George24 - in the red jersey - participated in light shooting drills at today's practice. pic.twitter.com/L5yEpZFOke
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 2014

It appears this is the first step in the league's protocol which requires a player to pass through various levels of activity without any lingering symptoms before going on to the next step. PG's status remains uncertain pending the process, but something tells me, those symptoms will be a thing of the past by Saturday night when the Pacers take the court to play the Heat in Miami.

While PG didn't speak with the media following practice, he did make a statement before leaving the court, as Candace Buckner reports.

We're told that Paul George will not available for media. He ended practice with a reverse dunk in front of assembled reporters.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 22, 2014