LA Clippers: 3 Questions for the Team Before Washington Game

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Signage at Staples Center on February 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Signage at Staples Center on February 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

LA Clippers Pregame Question #2: Will Paul George Continue to be on a Minutes Restriction?

When it was revealed that Paul George was suffering from a bone edema injury in his foot, fans of the LA Clippers feared the worst. An injury like this could’ve left George out for months. In a season where he is more than likely to be selected as an NBA All-Star for the first time since 2019, George’s revenge season was potentially endangered up until the playoffs. This would not only affect him physically but mentally as he continues to battle mental health and the countless attacks on social media.

The good news for George, the Clippers, and Clipper Nation was that the swelling in his toe was considered not severe as he only missed seven games. In his first game for the Clippers against the Utah Jazz, George scored 15 points shooting 6-for-14 on field goals and 1-for-4 from the three-point arc. George played nearly 27 minutes in the 116-112 win over the Jazz.

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Against the Nets, George played outstanding as he scored 34 points shooting 12-for-19 in field goals and 4-for-9 behind the three-point arc. George was on rotation and did not play in the final minutes of crunch time versus Brooklyn due to a minutes restriction. George played a total of 32 minutes and 31 seconds against the Nets as George, who was healthy, felt that he should’ve been on the court to get the Clippers the win.

While George is still playing at a high-level of basketball two games after returning from his bone edema scare, he is still playing placed on a minutes restriction to potentially avoid any reaggravation of the injury in the toe. While he could’ve helped get the LA Clippers to victory on Sunday night and for future games, it is important to keep him completely healthy for the NBA Playoffs. He will likely not get much rest during the NBA All-Star break as he will potentially be playing in the game despite some concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 in Atlanta.