Kevin Ware’s horrific injury about a year ago is being compared to the injury that Paul George suffered on Friday night.
Ware injured his leg March 2013 during an NCAA game.
He landed awkwardly after attempting to block a shot--just like George.
“You just think how is this even possible,” Ware told ESPN on Friday night, describing his experience.
“I just went into automatic shock. I was just speechless. Nothing I'd ever seen in my life.”
“Once your adrenaline gets back to normal, the actual breaking-your-leg pain starts to kick in,” he added. “It’s really hard to deal with. Even with the medication it’s tough.”
Ware added hopeful words: “It’s going to take time and patience, but he'll be perfectly fine [after recovery].”
Livingston added via Twitter: “I know people are in shock from Paul George’s injury. He will be able to bounce back because he has a warrior mentality.”
ESPN Medical Analyst Dr. Michael Kaplan called George’s injury “similar” to Ware’s. “He snapped the fibula and tibula right in the middle of the leg. He’s certainly going to need surgery. He'll be out for nine to 12 months with this.”
(AP Photo/John Locher)
Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose reacts after seeing Indiana Pacers’ Paul George get injured during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
George himself tweeted from the hospital, saying: “Thanks everybody for the love and support.. I‘ll be ok and be back better than ever!!! Love y’all!! #YoungTrece.”
George, an All-Star for the Pacers, was injured late in the U.S. national team’s intrasquad scrimmage.
George leaped to contest a fast-break layup by James Harden with 9:33 left in the fourth quarter and his leg smashed against the bottom of the backboard stanchion.
Trainers immediately ran onto the floor and after roughly 10 minutes of stoppage, George was taken out of the arena on a stretcher. With players looking visibly upset, coach Mike Krzyzewski then announced to the crowd that the scrimmage would not be finished.
“There’s no way the game could have gone on under the circumstances,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.
The White team led George’s Blue team 81-71.
George was considered a lock to make the final 12-man roster for the World Cup of Basketball that starts later this month in Spain.
The Americans planned to reduce the 20-play pool to 14 or 15 players Saturday, but put off those plans after George’s injury.
“Everything’s on hold right and it should be,” Krzyzewski said. “It would be so inappropriate for us to talk about anything else when there’s a serious injury like this.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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