The latest injury update for struggling Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Paul George comes with a massive sigh of relief. He injured his knee in Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. After exiting the game, the Sixers went on to lose 117-111. George had already missed the first five games of the season. So, to lose him again for significant time would be just another blow to the Sixers’ season. They currently sit at 2-12 and last place in the Eastern Conference.
76ers Injury Update Sidelines PG13 but Avoids Disaster
76ers Injury Update Concerning Paul George Brings Good News
It was the first game this season that George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey shared the court together. The event was what the organization was waiting and hoping for after a turbulent start to the season. Just days before, veteran Kyle Lowry called a team meeting, and much conversation has risen from that team meeting concerning Embiid and Maxey.
Unfortunately, the big trio’s debut was short-lived after George injured his left knee in the third quarter and left. Diagnosed as a hyperextension, medical reports sourced by ESPN’s Shams Charania came back stating that the MRI showed no structural damage and it’s only a bone bruise. It’s a welcoming sign for George and the Sixers. It was reported that PG13 was attempting to come back into the game, as Sixers head coach Nick Nurse stated, but eventually decided not to return.
“They actually did work in there,” Nurse said, ” You never know what happens. 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. He decided not to and now got to take a look at it and make sure.”
Not returning to the game was likely the best course of action for George. You never know what could have happened had he returned to court. There is always the risk of worsening the injury in the present, and the domino effect could result in a longer-term recovery. George will be reevaluated on Monday next week. He will likely miss Philadelphia’s upcoming games against the Brooklyn Nets (Friday, November 22) and the Los Angeles Clippers (Monday, November 24).
Embiid and Maxey Have to Find a Way to Win Without PG13
The margin of error for the Sixers is razor-thin. There is certainly some turmoil brewing around the organization that Embiid and Maxey have to take control of on the basketball court. Having the team meeting was a start. Now, they must take that same initiative to the floor and start stringing some games together. Embiid poured in classic Embiid-like numbers against Memphis (35 points, 11 rebounds). It was the best he’s looked since his return to play. Maxey, on the other hand, only played 20 minutes due to a minutes restriction. Philly’s next game is on Friday against the Nets, and it’s not a back-to-back. So, the assumption is that Embiid will play, which he should because this is a game the 76ers can win.
It would cast an even darker shadow if the Sixers followed up that team meeting with a string of consecutive losses. Something has to give, and Embiid has to come out aggressive and replicate a similar game he had in Memphis. As for George, the fact that he is expected back next week and will avoid missing significant time is good news for Philly. All things considered, they very much need him, too.
