The hits just keep on coming for the Philadelphia 76ers. After losing Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, and Eric Gordon to season-ending injuries while most of their roster sits with lingering injuries, Paul George became the latest Sixers on the season-ending list after he received injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee on Monday, March 17, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Shortly after the news broke, the Sixers released a statement about George undergoing the injections and missing the rest of the season.
“Following consultations with specialists, as part of his treatment plan, Paul George has received injections in both his left adductor muscle and left knee,” A Sixers’ spokesperson said. “Following the procedure, George is medically unable to play and will be out for at least six weeks. Further updates on his recovery will be provided as appropriate.”
George is expected to be out for at least six weeks, and the rest of the regular season will end in just under a month. The 34-year-old suffered two hyperextensions and bone bruises in his left knee in October and November, a finger tendon tear in January, and dealt with groin soreness over recent weeks.
George ends his season after playing just 41 games while averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting just 43% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc. Without question, George’s first season was an unmitigated disaster essentially from the beginning for many reasons, but none more than the relentless undermining of the injury bug.
Unfortunately, the news does not come as a surprise. On Thursday, March 13, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that George was meeting with doctors to discuss treatment options for his groin and knee injuries, including possible procedural options.
The following day, ahead of the team’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers, Head Coach Nick Nurse told the media that an announcement would come early the following week.
With Embiid and now George on the sideline for the rest of the season, in addition to the other season-ending and lingering team injuries, the Sixers are now in a prime position to continue tanking this season in hopes of retaining their draft pick this season, which Oklahoma City Thunder owns, but protected for the top six selections.
