Philadelphia 76ers star forward Paul George suffered a hyperextended left knee early in the second half of Wednesday night’s 117-111 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies.
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George suffered his knee injury after coming down awkwardly while attempting to grab a rebound
George, 34, appeared to suffer the injury early in the third quarter after coming down awkwardly while going up for a rebound. The 15-year veteran did not return, and Sixers officials said further testing will be done Thursday.
Above all else, it was the same knee that George hyperextended in the preseason, causing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. When head coach Nick Nurse was asked if he could rule out structural damage to George’s knee, he replied, “I think so.”
Paul George hyperextended the same left knee just over one month ago. https://t.co/hWs727gynD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2024
“I think they said it was similar to last time, which was a bone bruise, I think,” Nurse said. “He was actually fairly close to coming back in the game, but then it kind of stiffened up as he got out a little bit more. So, I decided not to, and now we got to take a look at it, make sure.”
Philadelphia’s matchup with Memphis on Wednesday night marked the first time that Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey played together in the Sixers lineup.
Maxey returned from a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury, Embiid missed six games for left knee injury management
Maxey was back in action Wednesday after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Embiid also missed the first six games because of left knee injury management and three more games for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 2.
George put up just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes of action. Maxey struggled from the floor as well, shooting 3-of-13 for eight points, in 19 minutes.
“Listen, it’s certainly not easy,” Nurse said. “Tyrese just getting back and didn’t really have a feel tonight, and Paul going out. Certainly not easy … but we didn’t put enough together again for 48.”
In his debut season in Philadelphia, George is averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game through eight starts. That’s not much to go off of.
George’s time with 76ers could be cut short?
Fans and NBA analysts alike are already calling into question George’s future with the Sixers. These rumors are based on his lengthy injury history and the four-year, $212 million contract he signed in the offseason.
George’s deal includes a 15% trade bonus and a 2027-28 player option that is worth $56.58 million. The nine-time All-Star is earning $49.2 million this season and is slated to make $51.66 million in 2025-26.
Last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, he played in 74 regular-season games, his most since the 2018-19 campaign for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Younger Sixers players like rookie Jared McCain offer more bang for the buck. It makes little sense to pay a player that much money each season when he’s rarely on the court.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, not that many teams, if any, would be willing to take on George’s contract.
The 76ers (2-12) have Thursday off before they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
