Last Monday, Paul George marked his official return to gameplay.
Following a knee surgery during the off-season, which sidelined him for the first dozen matchups, George started his season journey last Monday. Interestingly, his reappearance was against the Los Angeles Clippers, a team he dedicated five seasons to before joining the 76ers the previous season.
George recorded 9 points and secured 7 rebounds in the 76ers’ narrow 110-108 victory over Los Angeles. His playtime was capped due to a minutes restriction. From the field, George landed 2-of-9 shots and managed only 1-of-4 from beyond the arc.
He exhibited early momentum upon his re-entry into the starting lineup, scoring the initial five points for the 76ers and swiftly sinking a 3-pointer.
The Clippers, however, retaliated with a dominant 14-0 surge, prompting an early timeout from Philadelphia. George only added two more points in the initial half, allowing the Clippers to secure a 10-point advantage heading into halftime.
Despite the deficit, the 76ers gradually chipped away at the lead, eventually reclaiming it late in the fourth quarter, thanks to a pair of rapid 3-pointers from Quentin Grimes and Tyrese Maxey. The Clippers had opportunities to bounce back, but James Harden’s consecutive attempts at a game-winning 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer. This allowed the 76ers to clinch a two-point victory.
Maxey spearheaded the 76ers’ triumph with an impressive 39 points, while Grimes contributed 19 points as a substitute. Harden led the Clippers with 28 points, though his 3-point shooting was off, making only 2-of-12. Kobe Sanders also added 17 points. The loss marked the Clippers’ second consecutive defeat, placing them at a 4-10 record.
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During the last season, George participated in merely 41 games, achieving averages of 20.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, while maintaining a 3-point shooting accuracy exceeding 38%. Over the course of his career, George has encountered recurring injuries, causing him to miss considerable playing time. In the past half-dozen seasons, George exceeded 56 games only once — his concluding year with the Clippers. Whether due to managed workload or injuries, George’s reliability has been inconsistent in recent years. Again, George’s last season saw him in only 41 games, where he averaged 20.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists with a 3-point shooting percentage above 38%.
Philadelphia welcomed George in the 2024 off-season, securing him with a four-year, $212 million contract. He was expected to complement Joel Embiid and propel the team forward in the postseason. The 76ers have not progressed beyond the second playoff round since Embiid’s arrival in the NBA.
The initial strategy faced challenges, with George playing only half the season and Embiid being sidelined for 63 games due to a knee injury. Once both George and Embiid, along with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, are simultaneously on the court, the 76ers are anticipated to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference. Before Monday’s game, they held a 7-5 record without George and a 4-2 record in the six games where Embiid was available.
Even though he is not fully back to his usual form — and the duration of his minutes restriction remains uncertain — George’s return to the court is a positive step. It’s a promising development and a welcome sign for the 76ers as they aim to overcome the challenges they faced in the previous year.
