Clippers’ Paul George likely out the rest of the regular season
A worst-case scenario became the best-possible news for the Clippers’ Paul George, who was diagnosed with a sprained right knee Wednesday.
Less than 24 hours after appearing to hyperextend his right knee, an MRI revealed that the All-Star wing suffered a less dire injury. George will be evaluated in two to three weeks, according to the Clippers.
George landed awkwardly, his knee bending backward, after colliding with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort while going for a rebound with 4:38 left in the Clippers’ 101-100 loss on Tuesday night. George immediately fell to the floor, clutching his leg. He was eventually helped off the court by Clippers staffers without putting pressure on his leg.
The prognosis could put George back in the lineup between April 5-13 – given there isn’t any ligament damage – four days after the regular season ends. Anything more serious could spell the end of the season for George and deliver a blow to the Clippers’ title hopes.
The Clippers (38-35) are in fifth place in the Western Conference with nine games left, all against conference teams. They play the Thunder again Thursday.
The news of George’s injury cast a pall over the Clippers’ locker room after the game. The few remaining players, however, said the team needs to move forward and not dwell on the situation.
“We have to overcome it, you have to, especially for him,” forward Nicolas Batum said. “We got to stay focused on who we have on the court. You know, we got good guys, great players anyway, so we’ve been there before. One team who has been there before it’s us.”
Last season, the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and they lost in the play-in portion of the playoffs.
This season, managing the health of George and Leonard has been foremost with the team. The two have been playing well lately. In 55 games, George had been averaging 23.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range. Leonard is averaging 23.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while shooting 51.2% from the field and 41.5% from behind the arc.