Paul George dominates in playoff return to give Pacers 1-0 lead

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George scored a game-high 33 points on Saturday to lead the team over Toronto Raptors 100-90 in game one of a best of seven NBA playoff series.

After managing 6 points on 2-for-9 shooting in the first half, George responded with 27 points in the second half on 10-for-13 shooting.

"Awesome. The biggest reason we won," said an impressed Pacers head coach Frank Vogel following the game in Toronto. "I think this is an exciting day for him to get back to playoff basketball."

For Vogel, seeing George back in the playoffs wasn't always a certainty.

During a U.S. national team practice game in Las Vegas on Aug. 1, 2014, George suffered a gruesome injury that resulted in both bones in his lower right leg being fractured.

The injury was potentially career-ending and expected him to miss at least the duration of the entire upcoming season.

George managed to recover ahead of schedule and return for the final six games of the regular season. By the end of the season, Pacers missed the playoffs, the first time in George's career.

"It means everything," said George on being able to recover from the injury and average a career-best 23.1 points per game this season. "To be out of the playoffs last year was probably the biggest burden on me, immediately after I got hurt. I told myself every year that I want to be in the playoffs."

Since joining the league in 2010 as the 10th overall pick in the entry draft, George has increased his role with the team and become the leader.

After being named NBA's Most Improved Player in 2013, George was also selected as an All-Star in 2013 and 2014. In both seasons, he helped Indiana reach Eastern Conference Finals, falling to Miami Heat both times.

"I'm still not the player I was," said George. "Mature-wise, I've grown beyond the pre-injury Paul George.

I think the physical part is where the pre-injury Paul George was better."

With the physical limitations, the 25-year-old has worked on improving his outside game, scoring a career-best 210 three-pointers during the regular season. His performance led to his third All-Star selection this season.

"The injury made me work hard, it brought me back to when I started the game," said George. "When I was putting the work in and worked hard every day. I love the results."

With a healthy George, the Pacers hope they have enough to take out the 2nd seed Toronto Raptors in their playoff series. Game two will be played Monday night in Toronto before returning to Indiana for games three and four. Endit