The Philadelphia 76ers have revealed that Paul George recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after sustaining an injury during a practice session. The organization described the procedure as a means to address an issue incurred while working out, but provided limited information, noting that George will be assessed again before training camp kicks off in September.
A reliable source indicated to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports that this surgery was primarily a minor cleanup and did not involve any significant ligaments. However, additional details about his recovery remain sparse.
This injury presents a challenging situation for the 76ers, as Tony Jones of The Athletic points out. With Joel Embiid only back to limited basketball activities and George now focusing on rehab, two of Philadelphia’s top three players are facing injury setbacks heading into a critical season. If George isn’t fit by the start of training camp, the preseason, or even the regular season, the ramifications for the team could be significant.
In the previous season, George participated in just half of the games for Philadelphia, dealing with ongoing knee and groin issues. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, hitting 35.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
The 76ers have dealt with a string of injuries beyond just George. Joel Embiid made it onto the court for 19 games, Jared McCain played in 23 contests, and Tyrese Maxey appeared in 52 games, marking a tough year for the core team.
On paper, a trio of Embiid, George, and Maxey has the potential to elevate Philadelphia into contender status in a competitive Eastern Conference. However, the ability of these players to maintain their health and develop chemistry under head coach Nick Nurse remains uncertain.
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