Philadelphia 76ers fans were left holding their breath Monday night after their newly acquired star, Paul George, exited the team’s preseason game with what appeared to be a concerning leg injury. The Sixers secured a 104-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, but the victory felt overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding George’s health.
The injury occurred midway through the second quarter when George attempted to defend a driving Hawks forward, Jalen Johnson. In the process, George hyperextended his knee, an awkward movement that immediately raised alarms.
He was promptly subbed out of the game and did not return, leaving fans and the team anxious for updates. George logged eight points and two rebounds on 3-of-5 shooting before his early exit.
This incident is particularly worrying given George’s injury history. During his five-year tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, the nine-time All-Star struggled to stay on the court, missing 127 games due to various injuries.
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His health has often been a key factor in his ability to make a significant impact, and the 76ers were hopeful that George had turned a corner after a relatively healthy season with the Clippers, where he missed only eight games in his final campaign.
The Sixers are already preparing to carefully manage reigning MVP Joel Embiid’s workload throughout the season to ensure he is fresh for the playoffs. George’s injury scare now adds to the team’s concerns, as they look to build a championship contender around their star-studded roster.
The Sixers will be hoping that George’s leg injury is not serious and that he can avoid the same injury setbacks that plagued much of his time in Los Angeles.
As the team moves forward, they will be closely monitoring George’s condition, knowing that any extended absence from him could severely hamper their aspirations in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
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