The Philadelphia 76ers’ 2024-25 season got off to a rocky start due to injuries to key players, particularly star forward Paul George. In a move that was low-key front office bandwidth-straining, the team brought in George in the offseason with a four-year, $212 million deal, pairing him with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, only one of these three marquee players has been able to take the court so far.
Georges’ training camp debut was disrupted by a hyperextended knee injury he suffered in a preseason game against the ATL. The team announced on October 14th that he will be out for at least the first three games of the season. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that George is “progressing well” and will be reevaluated early next week, with a potential return to the court scheduled for as early as next Wednesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
In a tweet, Charania shared, “76ers: Paul George continues progressing well in his recovery from a left knee bone bruise and will not play during the team’s two-game road trip. Team will provide update on his availability early next week.” This update has given fans and staff a glimmer of hope that the super-star forward will be back on the court soon.
George’s injury woes are a familiar refrain. Prior to his remarkable 2023-24 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, George had missed extended time each season, failing to play in at least 60 games in four consecutive seasons. However, he rebounded in his final campaign with the team, playing and starting 74 games, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, proving he still has the game-changing ability he’s demonstrated multiple times in his career. The 34-year-old’s two-way production has made him an All-Star nine times over the years, and he continues to be a force to be reckoned with when on the court.
When healthy, George is undoubtedly a difference-maker for the 76ers. His versatility, which has earned him a reputation as elite player, will undoubtedly make him an upgrade over previous starter Tobias Harris. George has consistently averaged 20+ points per game in nearly every season, and the team is eager to see that kind of production when he returns. Currently, KJ Martin, Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond are holding down the starting lineup, but once George and Joel Embiid are fully healthy, it’s likely they will take over two of those spots, providing a potent one-two punch.
