Philadelphia 76ers fans held their collective breath Monday after newly acquired star Paul George left the team’s preseason contest with a leg injury.
The 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-89 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. But the final result probably felt negligible for Sixers fans after George left the game midway through the second quarter. The Sixers star hyperextended his knee while trying to cut off a driving attempt from Hawks forward Jalen Johnson.
Paul George hyperextended his left knee, per @ginamizell
Prayers 🙏
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 15, 2024
George was immediately subbed out from the game following the play and did not return. He finished with eight points and two rebounds on 3/5 shooting from the field.
The nine-time All-Star had trouble staying healthy during his five-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. He missed a total of 127 games across five seasons while dealing with a myriad of injuries.
But George stayed relatively healthy last season, missing just eight games during his last campaign with the Clippers.
The 76ers are already planning to manage Joel Embiid’s workload next season to preserve him for the postseason. The last thing they need is for the injury bug to bite George as well.
