The Los Angeles Clippers expect to play the entire first-round series against the Phoenix Suns without Paul George, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
George has been out since spraining his right knee against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 21. He has missed the last nine games of the regular season and is not advanced enough in his rehabilitation to play against the Suns, according to the report. The Clippers initially announced a 2 to 3 week timeframe to reassess his injury.
An eight-time All-Star, George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 56 games this season. When healthy, he presents one of the most dangerous tandems in basketball along with five-time All-NBA player Kawhi Leonard. With George out, the Clippers will be at a significant disadvantage against a Suns team that has had success with Kevin Durant in their lineup.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George will reportedly miss the team’s entire first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. (AP Photo/Ringo HW Chiu)
Since coming to Phoenix via a midseason trade from the Brooklyn Nets, Durant has averaged 26 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while playing alongside Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. The Suns fell behind in the standings prior to Durant’s arrival as Booker was sidelined 29 games with injuries. But both are healthy now, and the Suns go into the playoffs as the No. 4 West championship favorite. Phoenix is 8-0 with Durant in the lineup.