Sixers’ Tough Season Gets Even Tougher After Paul George Injury News

It’s been a tough week for the Philadelphia 76ers, and now the road gets even rougher.

Star forward Paul George has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced Thursday. While the MRI revealed no structural damage — a relief for Sixers fans — George is set to miss at least two games.

He’ll sit out Friday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday’s showdown with his former squad, the LA Clippers, before being reevaluated on Monday.

The injury occurred early in the second half of Wednesday night’s 117-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. George exited the game and did not return, marking the second issue with the same knee that caused him to miss the first five games of the season due to a hyperextension in the preseason. It’s another blow for a team that just got Tyrese Maxey back after a six-game absence with a hamstring strain.

For a Sixers squad still searching for rhythm under coach Nick Nurse, the timing couldn’t be worse. Wednesday marked the first time George, Joel Embiid, and Maxey were all in the starting lineup together, but it didn’t go as planned. George managed just two points on 1-of-6 shooting before leaving the game. Maxey, shaking off rust, went 3-of-13 from the floor for eight points.

• Nurse acknowledged the uphill battle after the game.

“Tyrese just getting back and didn’t really have a feel tonight, and Paul going out — it’s certainly not easy,” he said. “We didn’t put enough together again for 48.”

The 76ers, who entered the season with championship aspirations, are still seeking consistency. With George sidelined yet again, those hopes now hinge even more on Embiid and a supporting cast that’s still learning to gel.

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