No timeline for Paul George recovery

George, 24, incurred the sickening injury while on a training camp with Team USA in Las Vegas on August 1, and is set to miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season.

The Pacers forward, who suffered from shock at the time of the incident and tried to stand on his leg despite the bone sticking out, said the pain was excruciating.

"It felt like gasoline was on my leg and someone lit a match," he said.

George added: "When I looked down and saw my bone sticking out, I knew it was bad. I felt pain before and this was a pain I've never felt before.

"So I knew how bad it was as soon as it happened. Immediately I was shifting to the whole grind coming back."

George said while he maintains hope of returning at the latter stages of next season, he is also only making shorter-term goals.

"I've been talking with the Pacers staff, my whole training staff, and it's really a day-to-day process right now, taking it one day at a time," he said.

"We don't want to put a date on it or a time frame on it. Understanding some days are going to be good and some days are going to be bad."

After questions were asked of USA Basketball's safety measures following George's severe injury, the player himself went into bat for his national association.

"I think it's really unfair to get the criticism they're getting. It was a freak accident," George said.

"No one has been injured the whole time since USA Basketball has been here, a huge injury.

"I just think it happened. Freak accidents happen; they don't deserve any criticism for this.

"I would still like to be a part of USA Basketball in 2016. At the end of the day it's all about representing our country and bringing home the gold."

Team USA continue their preparations for the FIBA World Cup, beginning in Spain later in August.