Indiana Pacers guard Paul George to return Sunday

Indiana Pacers guard Paul George, who has not played since suffering a compound fracture in his right leg last August, will make his return Sunday against the Miami Heat.

The Pacers announced Saturday the two-time All-Star would be available to play when the Pacers host the Heat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

George has missed the entire season after breaking his right leg during an intra-squad exhibition game at Las Vegas on Aug. 1 while practicing with Team USA as it prepared for the World Cup of basketball competition.

“The recovery has been a long process and this is another step in the process,” George said in a statement. “I thank everyone, my family, friends, doctors, our training staff, coaches, the entire Pacers’ family for their support and encouragement. I’m excited, but at the same time I’m aware I’m still in a rehab stage and will continue to work to get back to full strength.”

The 24-year-old George averaged a career-best 21.7 points per game last season.

“We’re happy to have Paul back in uniform, and this is just another step in his rehabilitation from the injury,” said Larry Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations. “He has worked hard to get to this point and still has work to do, but it’s a positive step toward what we hope will be a full recovery at some point. His minutes will be limited in games he plays as we evaluate his progress moving forward.”

George returned to the practice floor on Feb. 26 and initially targeted mid-March for his return.

The Pacers (33-43), who have lost nine of their last 12 games, currently are 10th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings — 1 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Heat (34-41).