Paul George is out of Clippers’ playoff series against the Phoenix Suns in a bitter blow for L.A.
Paul George has been ruled out of Clippers’ ENTIRE playoff series against the Phoenix Suns in a bitter blow to LA
- George, 32, hasn’t played a minute of NBA action since playing OKC on March 24
- The Clippers will rely on their team depth as George’s right knee recovers
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Eight-time All Star forward Paul George is expected to miss the entire first round of the LA Clippers’ Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Suns due to a lingering sprained knee injury sustained in the last few weeks of the regular season.
The 32-year-old held onto his right knee after coming down hard on March 21 in the dying minutes of a one-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, following an 18-point performance.
His absence from the opening round of the NBA postseason was reported on Sunday by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. PG-13 now sees a return to the team if the Clippers make it to the Semifinals.
An MRI showed no major structural damage. It was initially believed that George would only be out for two to three weeks and, depending on his condition, that he would return just in time for the first round of the playoffs, which began on April 15.
The Clippers will now have to turn to their roster depth, which is considered one of the best in the league. Eric Gordon started during George’s absence and looks set to hold that spot until further notice.
Paul George (center) is considered one of two franchise players on the LA Clippers
George, 32, went down hard in the last few minutes of a one-point loss to OKC in March
Reserve guard Bones Hyland has also seen more game action since George’s injury, scoring a noticeable 20 points off the bench against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 – his highest points since joining the Clippers in February.
“No one’s head was down,” All-Star Kawhi Leonard previously said of George’s injury. “One man can’t win these basketball games. We will have to enter with great difficulty.’
It’s not the first time the Clippers have lost one of their two superstars.
Leonard tore his right ACL in the second round against Utah in 2021. The Clippers still advanced to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history before losing in six games. He missed all rehabilitation after surgery last season.
Eric Gordon starts in George’s absence and the Clippers will have to rely on roster depth to get past the Suns
George bore the burden, but not without absences.
He missed three months due to a torn ligament in his elbow and sat out the team’s second play-in game loss after testing positive for COVID-19.
“We have to keep sharing the ball and just dial in even deeper and come into these games more focused because we are missing a superstar,” Leonard said in March.