Paul George has won the NBA's 2012-13 Most Improved Player award.

George, in his third NBA season out of Fresno State, averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

George's PER, however, increased from 16.5 to just 16.8.

George received 311 of a possible 1,080 points, including 52 first-place votes, from a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Greivis Vasquez of the New Orleans (146 points, 13 first-place votes) and the Milwaukee Bucks' Larry Sanders (141 points, 10 first-place votes) finished second and third, respectively.

George Hill is playing through a tender left hip, and despite the fact he is trying to block out to the pain mentally, he knows it likely will not be 100 percent healthy for the remainder of the Indiana Pacers' playoff run.

"If it hurts, it hurts,” Hill said. “The way I deal with it is just thinking about the next play. I treat it as an out-of-sight, out-of-mind sort of thing.”

Hill had 18 points on seven of 10 shooting in the Pacers' Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

“George Hill is a fighter,” Pacers reserve Gerald Green said. “He’s been dealing with that it seems like all season. But he knows we’re in the most important part of the season. Nothing’s stopping him from being out there.”

Miles Plumlee, who was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 26th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has spoken with his brother Mason in preparation for the draft this June.

“The biggest thing I’ve told (Mason) is to be in great shape,” Plumlee told RealGM. “I think that’s the first thing they look for on these teams. They’ve watched all your film, they know what you can bring to the table. But just showing them how much you want it, how hard you’re willing to work for it, is really big.”

While teams heavily analyze film and scouting reports, an individual workout is also a critical component of the evaluation process.

“For me, I think it was even more important than it will be for (Mason),” Plumlee told RealGM. “I don’t think I got to demonstrate as much of my game while I was in college as he did, but it’s important for a lot of people. I think he can show them his mid-range shot and that kind of stuff that he didn’t do as much during the year.”

Unlike most post players, Miles believes Mason’s playmaking ability can separate him in this draft class.

“Our games have changed a lot since we were kids, but the biggest thing that’s stayed a part of Mason’s game from a young age is his passing ability,” Plumlee told RealGM. “I think even as a post player he’s had to work at not being a pass first guy, but I think that’ll be a great thing. He’s easy to play with, he’s going to look for the open guys, and he likes to share the ball.”

Orlando Johnson has become a fixture in the Indiana Pacers' bench rotation, playing in 45 consecutive games after playing in just three of 32 games to begin the season.

Johnson credits Brian Shaw, who is in his second season as an assistant with the Pacers, as a key reason for his development.

“I think he’s a great coach,” Johnson told RealGM. “He definitely has a bright future in the league as a head coach because of his time as a player. His record speaks for itself. He’s won at every level. He’s a proven leader and just being under coach Shaw, also being a UC Santa Barbara graduate, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned what it takes to succeed at this level and also to stay at this level.”

Shaw has used his experience as a 14-year veteran to relate to his players and improve their learning curves.

“He’s been through everything we’ve been through.” Johnson told RealGM. “He’s seen all the things so he’s just another extension of coach (Frank) Vogel. Sometimes when we don’t understand (Vogel), we ask coach Shaw and he breaks it down to us and we usually get it.”

Shaw was mentioned as a top candidate for several head coaching positions last summer before he returned to Indiana.

Shaw’s name is expected to surface again this summer with any openings around the NBA. 

The NBA game scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden has been canceled.

The game will not be rescheduled.

The NBA expresses its sympathy to all those affected by the tragedy in Boston earlier today.

Donnie Walsh, 72, isn't sure he'll return as president of the Indiana Pacers next season.

Walsh said he only stepped back into the role with Indiana because Larry Bird needed a break.

"I took this job because Larry wanted a year off," Walsh said. "If Larry wants to come back, I'm out. I'm leaving. If he doesn't I don’t know what I'll do."

Kevin Pritchard is the team's general manager, working right under Walsh.

The Indiana Pacers, in town to face the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, have released a statement in the wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy:

The Pacers are currently in Boston, to play the Celtics. We have talked to the team and everyone in the travel party has been accounted for.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected in Boston.

The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 90-80 on Sunday afternoon to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers are currently third, two games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets.

Danny Granger underwent successful surgery on his left knee Thursday morning at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida, according to the Indiana Pacers.

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews with assistance from Team Orthopedist Dr. Tim Hupfer.

A full recovery is expected and Granger is expected for the start of the 2013 training camp.