The Philadelphia 76ers face another injury setback as Paul George, acquired during the offseason, missed part of their 109-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. George, who scored nine points in the first half, left the game due to a left pinky injury.
The injury in question happened in the second quarter, and after an evaluation, George did not return for the second half as Justin Edwards replaced him in the lineup. While George’s injury is a blow to a team already struggling with health issues, it remains unclear how long he will be out of action, with an MRI scheduled to assess any potential damage.
Nick Nurse said Paul George has a jammed pinky finger. He will get an MRI tomorrow.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 26, 2025
After spending five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Paul George joined the 76ers in the offseason. In his first season with Philadelphia, George has played 29 games, averaging 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.8 steals. He has been an important piece of the 76ers’ lineup, contributing with shooting splits of 42.8% from the field, 36.5% from three, and 81.8% from the free-throw line.
His absence adds to the list of injuries that have plagued the team throughout the season, including the ongoing knee issue that has kept Joel Embiid out for the last ten games. Moreover, Jared McCain has been lost for the season due to injury, and KJ Martin, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin were also unavailable for the Bulls game.
The Impact Of Paul George’s Injury On The 76ers
While George’s loss is significant, the 76ers were able to secure a win over the Bulls, breaking a seven-game losing streak. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 31 points and nine assists, while Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds. The team is now 17-27 and has moved within one game of the Bulls, who currently hold the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite the win, the 76ers are still far from their expectations of being a contender in the East, and George’s injury may further complicate their efforts to climb the standings.
Paul George’s injury is a big worry for the 76ers, as he has averaged 32 minutes per game and helps both on offense and defense. Without him, the team will need Tyrese Maxey to step up more. Maxey is averaging 22.1 points and 5.3 assists per game, and he scored 31 points with nine assists in the win against the Bulls. Kelly Oubre also helped by scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in that game.
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With injuries causing problems, the 76ers’ chances of making the playoffs depend on players like Joel Embiid and George getting healthy. Their next game is against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, and they need to keep winning to stay in the play-in race.
Also Read: VIDEO: Paul George Explains Why He’s “Bored” Of Playing Center For The Philadelphia 76ers
