The Philadelphia 76ers said Thursday that forward Paul George has a bone bruise on his left knee suffered in the loss against Memphis Wednesday night and will miss the next two games. The 76ers said George did not suffer structural damage when he injured the same knee he hyperextended during the preseason. The game marked the first time the All-Star killer trio of George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey started a game together this season. George will miss home games Friday against Brooklyn and Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, his former team. A nine-time All-Star, the 34-year-old George will be evaluated again on Monday.
Paul George’ Left Knee Problem
We all marvel at the talent and capability of our favorite professional athletes. That includes keeping themselves in peak physical condition. That means there is so much more involved than we see on game day on the court. It is also that much more of a heartbreak when one is injured.
That’s why it was so disappointing when George came limping off the court in the 2nd half after Desmond Bane inadvertently landed on his foot while both went for a rebound. It also didn’t help that Wednesday’s 117-111 loss to the Grizzlies dropped the Sixers to 2-12, the worst record in the NBA, headed into Thursday night’s games.
What This Means
A bone bruise on the knee is also known as a knee contusion. It is a traumatic injury that occurs when fluid and blood build up in the kneecap after an impact. It’s similar to a bruise on the skin but can be more serious because bone injuries take longer to heal.
Injuries are nothing new for George, who started playing in high school for Knight High School before playing two seasons of collegiate ball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Indiana Pacers selected him in the 2010 NBA draft, where he earned the NBA All-Rookie Second Team honor. Three years later, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player with his first All-Star selection.
Things Have Been Worse Before
Then came the injuries and trades. George suffered a broken leg in 2014 while competing for a roster spot on the United States national team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He missed most of the 2014–15 season but recovered to become an All-Star again in 2016 while also winning an Olympic gold medal.
He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017 and played two seasons for the Thunder before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. The Clippers appeared in the playoffs four times during his tenure, including their first trip to the Conference Finals in 2021. George later signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he plays as of 2024.
What the 76ers Will Be Missing
While this injury is temporary, it does put the 76ers in an ill-timed bind. George has signed a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia after five seasons with the Clippers. He has averaged 14.9 points in eight games this season.
All his attributes on the court will be missed, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Embiid has been out with injuries, load management rest, and a suspension, while Maxey was sidelined with a hamstring injury. An expected contender in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers haven’t won since an overtime victory against Charlotte on November 10th.
Not only is George out for a short time, but the 76ers are also without Kyle Lowry. The 76ers announced Tuesday that Lowry has a right hip strain and will miss the team’s next three games, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports. With two down, one thing is certain: the 76ers can’t afford to suffer more injuries.
