Pacers' Paul George 'blacked out' after collision with Heat's Dwyane Wade
Pacers forward Paul George said he "blacked out" after taking a knee to the head from Heat guard Dwyane Wade during Miami's 87-83 road victory in Game 2 on Tuesday.
With a little under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Indiana leading 73-69, Wade lost his handle on the ball as George hounded him in the left corner. George dove to the court in an attempt to corral the loose ball, and Wade fell over the top of George as he awkwardly attempted to make a play on the ball.
As Wade fell over George, his left knee and right leg made contact with the back of George's head. Both players were shaken up on the play, and George lay face down on the court for some time. The Pacers subsequently took a timeout and both players eventually remained in the game, although George initially appeared to still be a bit shaken up.
Shortly thereafter, Miami went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good.
“I blacked out as soon as it happened and then … however much time was remaining, I was just blurry," George said.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters he did not believe George's injury was serious and that he was cleared to return to the court.
"I do not [have an update]," Vogel said. "The only information I got during the game was that he was good to go."
Pacers.com reported that George "answered all of the questions" necessary to complete the NBA's concussion protocol and that the only symptom he reported was "pain in the back of the head."
LeBron James and Wade keyed the fourth-quarter push that proved to be the difference in Game 2. James finished with 22 points (on 9-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds and six assists. Wade scored a team-high 23 points (on 10-of-16 shooting) and added five rebounds and five assists.
Lance Stephenson finished with a game-high 25 points (on 10-of-17 shooting), seven assists and six rebounds for the Pacers. George, a two-time All-Star, finished with 14 points (on 4-of-16 shooting), six assists and five rebounds in a losing effort.
The series is now tied at 1. Game 3 is set for Miami on Saturday night.
