Paul George finally played his much-anticipated first game back in Indiana with his new team, the Oklahoma City Thunder following his exit from the Pacers last summer. There was a lot of media hype in the build-up to the game, especially because of how both teams have fared since their big trade.
George and the Thunder got the win in his homecoming, but afterwards, he was just glad the whole ordeal of the game was over and done with. He also hoped all parties would finally be able to move on.
“I'm glad the circus is over with. Now everybody can move on,” George said per Royce Young of ESPN. “I understood what the environment was going to be coming into tonight. My teammates did a great job of helping me battle this one tonight.”
“Let's put all this to rest for what it is. I had an amazing seven years here. I was blessed to play in front of a great Indiana fan base, which as you saw tonight, they showed up and showed out. I'm grateful. I'm grateful to play in this organization. But ultimately, I didn't achieve what I wanted to do here, and I moved on. Both sides moved on, and let's all move on.”
Paul George once again struggled upon facing his old team. He had 12 points on just 3-of-14 shooting in his first game back in Indiana, which is not much better than the 10 points and six fouls in 19 minutes he had in their first meeting in October.
It likely wasn't walk in the park for George to return back to the place he called home for virtually his entire career prior to this season and to receive boos all night. Apart from the game itself, all the media obligations likely took their toll as well.
But the game, as well as the season series between the Pacers and Thunder, is finally over, and he can now fully focus on helping get Oklahoma City's season back on track.
Follow Us
Subscribe