Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird has stressed that the team will not rush Paul George back from his long-term injury.

George is expected to make a full recovery from a compound fracture in his right leg, but Bird has been quick to highlight that Indiana will not push him to make a late-season return next year.

"It's going to be up to our doctors, our medical staff and Paul, but we would never put him in a situation where he'd be uncomfortable," said Bird, according to The AP.

"If he can play and he's healthy to play, he'll play. If our doctors think he'll play at 60 to 70%, we wouldn't do that."

George underwent surgery to help resolve the injury earlier this month and is now recovering at home.