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Last night, while the LA Clippers were going back-and-forth against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul George landed awkwardly after securing a rebound. George was helped back to the locker room after the incident. It was learned that he hyperextended his knee.
Regarding George's injury, Shams Charania, NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, said on FanDuel TV:
"He left the arena on crutches, in a cart… There's real concern within the Clippers that this is a serious injury," Charania said.
George is averaging 23.8 points on 45.7% shooting, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Before sustaining the injury last night, he scored 18 points on 9/17 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists, and even had three steals.
Paul George's similar injury in the past
During a televised Team USA scrimmage back on August 1, 2014, George tried to James Harden in transition when he landed awkwardly against the stanchion. He was sidelined from the 2014 FIBA World Cup and was only eligible to play in six games for the 2014-2015 NBA Regular Season.
George suffered a compound fracture of the tibula and fibula that day. He worked hard to get back to his former self post-injury and continued to play for the Indiana Pacers for two more seasons. Then, he went to the OKC Thunder for two seasons, and finally landed with the LA Clippers.
He still sustained some injuries after the one he sustained in the 2014 Team USA scrimmage, but nothing as severe as that one.
Implications of Paul George's injury to Clippers' championship aspirations
Paul George and the LA Clippers (38-35) are fifth in the Western Conference standings and have won five of their last 10 games.
The team also acquired Russell Westbrook at the trade deadline as they wanted to maximize their window in competing for an NBA championship.
However, after George's injury during last night's ball game, there is cause for serious concern regarding the severity of the injury and the LA Clippers' hopes for a title.
With the start of the NBA Playoffs fast approaching as the regular season nears its end, it is still unclear, as of this moment, when or if Paul George will return.
In a stacked Western Conference, the LA Clippers will have their hands full against the best that the conference has to offer.
With George's status still in question, the team's offense and defense will take a huge hit in his absence as the offensive burden will fall on Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, the defense will lose some of its tenacity as George recovers from his injury.
