Will Paul George Be Ready For Clippers First-Round Playoff Series?
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The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2022-23 NBA season as championship hopefuls, but now, things are looking very questionable for them because of the injuries they have had to deal with once again.
Not only was Kawhi Leonard limited to 52 games due to injury management, but Paul George only played in 56 games as well. Now, George is dealing with a new injury, as he suffered a bad looking right knee sprain on March 21.
Missing the team’s final nine games of the regular season, George’s status for the Clippers’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns is now very much in doubt, but some updates have been provided recently on when he could get back out on the floor.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, George is not expected to be ready for the start of this series in Phoenix, but Los Angeles’ star has made progress since the injury occurred.
The Clippers themselves have not given any updates on when Paul George could be able to return, yet George himself did recently give an update on where he was at on his Podcast P show.
“I've been feeling better. I've been working my butt off, grinding literally every day, “ George said on his show. “Six days out of the week I'm training, doing rehab. I'm gonna give it every chance I got, man. It's coming down to the wire.”
He may not be available for Game 1 or Game 2 of this series on the road, but when the Clippers come back home to host the Suns for Game 3 and Game 4, Paul George could feasibly be ready to contribute in some capacity.
This past Tuesday marked three weeks since George’s knee injury happened and at this point, his return to play depends on his pain tolerance and the strength of his knee.
That is why the next few days will be critical for Paul George and his potential return during this first-round series against the Suns.
With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul on the opposing side of the Clippers in this one, Kawhi Leonard will really need his fellow All-Star by his side if Los Angeles is going to have a chance at advancing in the postseason.
Game 1 of this series will begin on Sunday, followed by Game 2 in Phoenix taking place on Tuesday, April 18. The Clippers will not be back in Los Angeles for Game 3, a game in which George may be ready to return for, until Thursday, April 20.
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