The NBA regular season hasn’t even begun and the Philadelphia 76ers are already dealing with major injury concerns.
Paul George went down with what the team called a knee hyperextension during the second quarter of Monday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks and will be evaluated further.
George’s injury appeared to be serious at first as it was non-contact, which could have additionally meant an extended absence for their prized offseason acquisition.
“Hopefully, it’ll be OK, so he’s back with us right away,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after the game, per ESPN.
George told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he was not concerned about the injury while he departed from the arena, walking with a sleeve on his knee.
The fact that he avoided crutches after the game dispels most speculation that he suffered significant ligament damage.
“I felt that it hyperextended, and immediately it was, all right, I need to get taken out and (looked at), but if you ask me, I’m not too concerned about it,” George told the Inquirer.
No timetable was given for George, with Philly opening the regular season at home next Wednesday against the Bucks.
George was signed by the 76ers during free agency in a surprising move after he departed the Clippers.
This injury comes after fellow 76ers star Joel Embiid told ESPN that he is unlikely to play in any back-to-backs this season.
President of basketball operations Darryl Morey told ESPN that Embiid and George will “probably not play many back-to-backs, if any,” this season.
Embiid will also wear a knee brace throughout the season which will likely inhibit some of his movement but give his knees important support this season.
“It’s the right thing to do, and the right thing that’s going to give me the support for the rest of my career,” Embiid continued to ESPN. “For me, it’s a mental thing. I hated it. [But] I started telling myself, ‘OK, I have to do it, that’s the only way they’re going to let me play.’ … It might not look as good as it used to, with the jab or the pull-up and all that stuff, but it’ll still work.”
