76ers News: Paul George Gets Honest About Lingering Knee Injury

Newly-signed Philadelphia 76ers All-Star combo forward Paul George hyperextended his left knee during a preseason clash with the Atlanta Hawks and did suffer a bone bruise, but he avoided any scary structural issues.

Read more: Paul George Receives Postive Update Following Knee Injury

Shams Charania of ESPN revealed that the 6-foot-8 Fresno State product will have the knee reappraised this coming Tuesday ahead of his team’s regular season debut, Wednesday against Milwaukee. Charania’s Sixers sourced noted that his availability for a timely first game with Philadelphia remained murky, but reiterated he had managed to skip the worst impacts.

“There is a level of uncertainty going into that game for Paul George. These bone bruises can be tricky,” Charania said. “Also, I’m told that Paul George was smiling, he was in good spirits at practice on Tuesday. It’s believed he has been optimistic about the outcome in the aftermath of the injury.”

“But this is the overall the theme for the Sixers: maintaining their health. I reported the other day, Joel Embiid will be taking periodic time off, routine checkups over the course of the season.”

Appearing on his own show, “Podcast P With Paul George,” the nine-time All-Star explained the moment of the ailment, and supplied his own update on his recovery.

“I’m good,” George stressed. “It was a normal play that I’ve made so many times of [a] guy dribbling across, I reach, poke the ball free, and I guess my leg just kind of got stuck. My knee locked up, my leg locked up. And when I went to go push off, all my momentum is going forward and my leg… it just caused it to go inwards. I’ll be back strong and better than ever.”

“It wasn’t nothing major,” George continued. “No concern. I didn’t damage a ligament. I didn’t damage a tendon. It was just bone on bone bruising from a hyperextension. I’m [going to be] good. I should be back hopefully sooner than later. It won’t be a long timetable.”

George was signed to a four-year, $211.6 million maximum salary this summer, lured away from his hometown L.A. Clippers after five title-less seasons. Last year, the nine-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA honoree and four-time All-Defensive Teamer appeared in the most games he’s played since his Oklahoma City Thunder days, 74.

The 34-year-old logged averages of 22.6 points on .471/.413/.907 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks during the regular season, but he saw his productivity dip in the playoffs — which has been a constant concern about both George and his new All-NBA teammate Embiid.

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