Paul George, one of the league’s best two-way talents, will play a huge role in a potential title run for the LA Clippers. Head coach Tyronn Lue will run his game plan through George, requiring him to play as much as possible. Part of the reason the Clippers have 18 losses is because George has missed ten of the team’s 39 games thus far. This is not a great sign, as Lue and his squad are pushing for the record books.
Furthermore, there is a possibility he could be out for several games. Toward the end of the Clippers’ contest against the Miami Heat, George was subbed out with under a minute left. At the moment, it seemed like Lue had given up as they were down by an unreachable margin. During the post-game press conference, it was revealed that George re-tweaked his hamstring.
What’s even worse is that Lue had no update on the status of George’s injury. This is unfortunate news for the Clippers, as there is currently no room for error. With the regular season at stake, the last thing the team needs is for one of their best talents to face a week-to-week injury.
Ty Lue says Paul George tweaked his right hamstring. He doesn’t know how George is feeling at the moment after the guard returned to play in the fourth.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) January 3, 2023
George missed seven games earlier this season with a right hamstring tendon issue.
In the past, George has faced troubles with his hamstring. Therefore this injury is not something Lue and his staff can take lightly. While the team may be struggling, it is best to look long-term, as the season’s halfway point has yet to come. There is no reason to rush George back into the lineup if he is not in total health.
The LA Clippers could see a significant drop in the standings if George misses multiple games.
In a tight Western Conference, the LA Clippers need Paul George and the rest of the squad to remain fully healthy. This is the perfect opportunity for Lue to glide to the first seed. However, their leap will likely be placed on hold, with George potentially missing time.
So far this season, George is putting up all-star numbers with 24.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists through 34.6 minutes of action. Additionally, he is shooting 45.7% from the field and 38.9% from three on 18.3 shots per game. These numbers are phenomenal, proving how valuable George’s contributions are to the rest of the team.
Moreover, George’s hamstring could raise concerns for the LA Clippers. Injuries have been the story all year, and they are constantly putting Lue’s scheme in a problematic situation. There is only so much pressure they can place on George’s star teammate, Kawhi Leonard, as he has finally returned to his previous form.
That said, the LA Clippers will not only need rotational players like Norman Powell and Marcus Morris to step up, but the front office will have some major decisions to make at the trade deadline. One of the biggest priorities is to acquire another all-star, and the Clippers must make the trade by any means possible. This will help the workload for the superstar duo, as well as the team’s most valuable pieces.