Caris LeVert made his debut for the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. This comes after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass that was found on his kidney in a post-trade physical test.

With his inspiring return to the basketball floor, LeVert gave high remarks to his first game back after the Pacers got the 122-111 win over the Phoenix Suns.

LeVert also expressed his gratitude to his teammates for encouraging him, not only during the game, but since he arrived in Indiana. With what they showed in the 11-point win over the Suns, he expressed his belief that this Pacers group can make a lot of noise in the Eastern Conference.

Via Fox Sports Indiana:

From the way he sounded in his postgame interview, Caris LeVert looked like someone who just feels extremely blessed that he can play the game he loves the most once again. His medical situation was seriously a life scare, and the former Michigan standout did acknowledge that getting traded likely saved his life. He also admitted that the prospect of not getting to play again crossed his mind.

It's definitely great to see LeVert back out of there, and hopefully, his medical condition is now behind him. The new Pacers guard has established himself as one of the more exciting young players in the NBA.

LeVert, who was actually drafted 20th overall by the Pacers in 2016 before getting his draft rights traded to the Brooklyn Nets, played a solid game in his Indiana debut despite expectedly struggling from the field. He scored 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds to help the team score its 17th victory of the campaign. The team currently sits at no. 9 in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

All-Star Domantas Sabonis and the ever-so-steady Malcolm Brogdon have been leading the way for the Pacers this season. LeVert's arrival gives them added firepower offensively and should help them rise up the standings. When he gets conditioning back in the next couple of weeks, LeVert could emerge as one of Indiana's main focal points.