Indiana trailed by as many as 22 points in the first half, and then outscored Sacramento 65-40 in the final two quarters to win for the seventh time in eight games.

Reserve Al Jefferson had 20 points in 17 minutes for the Pacers, and Myles Turner had 16 points.

DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Sacramento, which lost Rudy Gay to a torn left Achilles tendon in the third quarter. It was Cousins’ fifth career triple-double.

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The NBA announced the fine Tuesday.

George appeared to be upset Saturday night when no foul was called after he took a shot. He kicked the ball after drawing a foul on the Bulls’ ensuing possession. The ball went into the stands with 1:42 left in the third quarter. The officials called a technical foul and immediately ejected the three-time All-Star.

After the game, George said he intended to kick the ball into the basketball stanchion and joked that his soccer skills were not as good as he thought. George also said he apologized to the fan who was hit by the ball. The fan was not injured.

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George spoke to reporters Friday afternoon for the first time since the injury. He said he is trying to stay positive and make the most of a tough situation.

“I plan on making a full recovery coming back from this,” George said at a news conference. “I’m taking this in a positive way. I get to sit back and watch the game — and just learn.”

The timeline for recovery is unknown, George said, but added that he can start some knee rehab as early as next week.

George was injured when he attempted to block a shot on a fast break and crashed into a basketball stanchion, snapping his leg. The accident raised questions about whether the support was too close to the court and generated debate about whether NBA stars are risking too much by representing the U.S.

George said he does not blame USA Basketball for the injury.

“Freak accidents happen,” he said. “USA Basketball doesn’t deserve any criticism from this.”

In fact, George said the 2016 Olympics are a possibility: “Absolutely, it’s in Brazil.”

George underwent surgery Aug. 2 and returned to Indianapolis on Aug. 5 to recover at home.

He said he knew it was not a good situation when he looked down at his leg.

“When I looked down and saw my bone sticking out, I knew it was bad,” George said.

The Pacers have not established a timetable for George’s return. But doctors who have not examined George say a full recovery from this kind of injury could take 12 to 18 months.

Larry Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations, said earlier this week the physicians who are treating George have not ruled out a late-season return, though the Pacers won’t rush him back.

It is missing time with the Pacers that George feels bad about.

“I feel guilty about not being there for the start of (the) season,” he said. “To not be a part of that, it hurts. Something I have to live with.

“The last thing I will do is feel like I am not a part of this team because I’m out.”

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