Hill Cleared to Play Game 6
Pacers.com Staff
May 18, 2013
Less than two hours before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Indiana Pacers announced that point guard George Hill was medically cleared for participation in the game. Hill will not be limited in any way tonight after missing Thursday's game with a concussion.
Earlier this afternoon, Hill participated in shootaround and "looked fine" according to Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.
During his pregame press conference, Coach Vogel said, "We did everything by the book, everything the league asked for," regarding Hill's medical treatment over the past few days.
The Pacers, who are playing at home tonight to clinch their first trip to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals since 2004, should get a lift from Hill's presence. In Game 5, with DJ Augustin starting for Hill, the bench production was thin at the guard spot and the Pacers' bench was outscored by the Knicks in Game 5, 35-10.
The team's full official statement can be found below.
Official Statement
Over the last two days under the care of the Indiana Pacers’ medical staff, George Hill has participated in each step of the NBA’s Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol as part of the NBA’s Concussion Policy. During the process, George remained symptom-free after each step including his workouts earlier today. After consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the NBA’s Director of Concussion Management, the Pacers’ team physicians have cleared George to play in tonight’s game.