Just as Tyrese Maxey returned, Paul George was forced to leave Wednesday’s game against the Grizzlies and did not return
Update, 11/21/24, 5:31 p.m.: The team has provided an update following the MRI George underwent on Thursday. They announced that the MRI revealed “no structural damage” and that he will be out the next two games with a left bone bruise, and will be reevaluated on Monday
An MRI of Paul George’s left knee revealed no structural damage. He will be listed as out (left knee bone bruise) for the next two games and reevaluated on Monday, per Sixers.
— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) November 21, 2024
For anyone keeping track at home, this is the same injury to the same knee George suffered in the preseason. It’s hard to imagine he’ll only be missing the next two games.
Update, 11:31 p.m.: Nick Nurse gave what could be construed as positive news regarding the knee injury Paul George suffered Wednesday. Per Tony Jones of The Athletic:
Nick Nurse said he “thinks” there is enough info to rule out structural damage for Paul George’s knee
Said PG was at one point close to coming into the game but that the knee stiffened up on him and they decided best to rule him out
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) November 21, 2024
Remember when the Sixers finally got all three members of their Big 3 on the floor for the first time?
Well, it was short lived as Paul George was forced to leave Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Not even a minute into the third quarter George landed on the foot of Desmond Bane while pulling down a defensive rebound. The Sixers were forced to call a timeout as George couldn’t even make it back down the floor. He sat on the bench briefly before heading to the locker room.
Here’s the play/replays of Sixers’ Paul George experiencing some sort of pain in his left leg once he lands.
Hard to see exactly what happened but PG walked off to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/LmzeeDYpFg
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) November 21, 2024
Here’s more angles of Paul George suffering a left knee hyperextension, the same knee he injured in the preseason. He exited the game after this play. pic.twitter.com/b7InyM9Q3T
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) November 21, 2024
George was ruled out for the rest of the game with a left knee hyperextension, the same knee he hyperextended in the preseason. He was previously diagnosed with a bone bruise that caused him to miss the first five games of the season.
The nine-time All-Star was struggling in the game. He was just 1-of-6 for two points. George has flashed at times, but he seems to be really struggling to find his shooting rhythm so far this season.
Tyrese Maxey, who missed the last six games with a hamstring strain, made his return. It was odd that he played the first five minutes of the game and then didn’t play the rest of the first half. Nick Nurse did tell reporters pregame that Maxey would be on a heavy minutes restriction, but that was an interesting approach.
The Sixers will return home from this three-game road-trip and host the Brooklyn Nets Friday. It’s still early, but they have to start stringing some wins together soon. We’ll keep you posted as more updates on George become available.