BASKETBALL: Paul George undergoes successful surgery

Indiana Pacers Paul George has undergone successful surgery after suffering a gruesome lower leg injury during a US national team practice match in Las Vegas on Friday.

The 24-year-old NBA forward snapped the tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg after he landed awkwardly and collided with the backboard stanchion while attempting to challenge James Harden, who was driving to the basket.

George will miss the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Spain later this month and there are fears he may miss the entire NBA season, though no official prognosis has been issued as of yet.

Following the injury, his right leg was put in an air cast, and he was taken to a Las Vegas hospital after being treated for about 15 minutes on the court.

George is expected to remain in hospital for three days after undergoing surgery to repair an open tibia-fibula fracture.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said: “This is a first for us, to have something like this take place.

“It’s a tough situation for our entire organisation, the coaches, the players. Very, very emotional.”