Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee on Monday, the Sixers announced.
The injury was reportedly sustained during a recent workout. No exact timetable for the procedure, performed by team doctor Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow, was provided, just that George will be re-evaluated before Sixers training camp.
The development is a grim omen for George’s second season in Philadelphia, which his team needs to be better than his first. The knee is the same one George suffered multiple injuries to during the 2024-25 season.
George joined the Sixers last offseason on a four-year, $212 million max contract, ending a five-year tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers under somewhat contentious circumstances. Oddsmakers loved what the move did for Philly’s title chances, but George wound up being one of the season’s biggest disappointments.
Paul George’s contract hasn’t worked out for the Sixers so far
When he was on the court, the 35-year-old George averaged his fewest points (16.2) since the 2014-15 season, when he returned from his infamous knee blowout. Lingering injuries likely slowed him down, and also limited him to only 41 games played, his fewest since 2021-22 when he tore the UCL in his right elbow.
The Sixers ruled George out for the rest of the season in mid-March.
George’s woes were part of a team-wide cavalcade of injuries. He was supposed to be part of a Big 3 alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but Embiid ended up playing only 19 games while Maxey was limited to 52. The trio ended up playing only 15 games together, barely coming out as a positive when on the court.
Nearly every key contributor for the Sixers missed part of the season with an injury or even more, such as early Rookie of the Year candidate Jared McCain, who was knocked for the season in January with a torn meniscus. The team struggled to a 24-58 record, well short of even a spot in the NBA play-in tournament.
George being out indefinitely is not going to help hopes for a bounce-back year in 2025-26.
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