LOS ANGELES, CA — Despite the Los Angeles Clippers losing a crucial game against the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-100 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the worst news came on Wednesday morning when the team learned that their star player Paul George will be sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks due to a right knee injury. George will likely miss the remaining nine regular season games which could also jepardize his availablity for the first round of the playoffs, according to ESPN.
George went up for a rebound as his right knee collided with Thunder guard Luguentz Dort’s knee, as George landed awkwardly on the court and was clearly in pain. He immediately went down and was later assisted to the locker room in the fourth quarter by his teammates.
With all of the obstacles the Clippers have faced this season between Kawhi Leonard’s return, injuries, and trades, George has been the epicenter of keeping this team focused and together. Without their leader on the floor, the Clippers will face yet another difficult challenge of trying to win out their remaining games while holding their position in the playoff race or hoping to gain ground in this hyper-competitive Western Conference while avoiding falling out of a Play-In scenario.
“We got a group of guys that still want to win, that like to play basketball, so we’ll see what happens,” an optimistic Leonard told reporters on Tuesday night following the game.
George finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes before the injury. The All-Star forward averaged 23.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, along with shooting 45.7% from the field this season.
Although Leonard will now have shoulder the load voided by George’s injury, a potential deep playoff run could depend on the status of George’s return to the court. Key players such as Ivica Zubac, Russell Westbrook, Terrence Mann, Eric Gordon and Marcus Morris Sr., who’s struggled most of the regular season are all going to have to step up in a major way. Not to mention, head coach Ty Lue will have to go back to the drawing board yet again to find the right lineup combinations just at a time when the team was hitting their stride.
George being out only adds to the list of players who have yet to return from injury such as guard Norman Powell.
Powell could return soon, but there is still no time table for him. For now, the Clippers will have to play with a “next man up” mentality and capture wins along the way against desperate teams vying for a Play-In spot or holding their ground in the playoff picture.
This season could shape the Clippers’ moves in the future depending on their success in the playoffs. For this talented squad, their aspirations are essentially a Finals or bust.
The Clippers face the Thunder again on Thursday night at 7:30PM PT at Crypto.com Arena.
