URGENT UPDATE: Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is set to miss the opening night of the NBA season as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. According to sources reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, George is making notable progress but has specific recovery milestones to achieve before returning to the court.
The 6-foot-8 forward underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in July 2024, following an injury sustained during workouts. He was initially expected to be reevaluated in September, but now it appears that his return will be delayed, impacting the 76ers’ early season performance.
Last season, George played in just 41 games after signing a massive four-year, $212 million maximum contract with Philadelphia. His struggles with injuries included issues with his left adductor muscle and knee, which ultimately led to him shutting down his season in March. He averaged only 16.2 points per game last year, marking his lowest output since the 2014-15 season.
Fans and team officials are eager for George’s return, as he is expected to make his regular-season debut shortly after the opener. However, the setback raises concerns about his durability, as he has only exceeded 56 games in a season once since 2018-19.
As the 76ers prepare for the season ahead, they will need to strategize without one of their key players. The team will be closely monitoring George’s rehabilitation as they aim to secure a strong start in the competitive NBA landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and more information on George’s recovery becomes available. Fans are hopeful for a swift comeback, underscoring the human impact of injuries in professional sports.