Getty Images 6-time All-Star Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have had an impressive run so far this season posting a 7-3 record through 10 games. Once they have their superstar small forward, Paul George back from recovery the team will play at an even higher level.
Fortunately, it appears that time is on the horizon, as Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports revealed that PG plans to make his Clippers debut in Thursday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
George underwent surgery on his right rotator cuff in May and again in June to repair a partial tear of his left labrum, ESPN details. For these reasons, the six-time all star has yet to suit up this season. The Clippers are on the road this week and are scheduled in back-to-back games, Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, and Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Whether we will see a Leonard-George duo this week is unknown as Kawhi Leonard is known to sit out in games that the team plays on consecutive nights.
Paul George Rehab
GettyLos Angeles Clippers forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Paul George has been in recovery since the off-season and has become restless in his rehabilitation. George told Mark Medina of USA Today Sports, “I’m tired of rehabbing,” George said. “It sucks.” During practice, he was even caught sneaking in a few possessions when L.A. Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers would turn his back. Though the lengthy rehab added to George’s frustration and his eagerness to play with his home team, he stayed patient. He told Medina, “I’m here for the long run and here for the long haul. I know what the big picture is,” George said. “Obviously it’s for my own good that I wasn’t in those things early.”
This isn’t the first time George has dealt with a major injury. In 2014 he fractured his right leg during an intrasquad scrimmage with Team USA and was out for almost the entire 2014-2015 season with the Indiana Pacers. This past experience helped George stay patient during his recovery time.
Per Yahoo Sports George said, “I’m used to being in this rehab stage and knowing what it takes to get my body prepared. It’s a long process. But with me going through it and having a drastic injury in my leg, I know what to expect. I know what pressure to put on myself and what pressure not to put on myself.”
Clippers’ Upcoming Schedule
Getty ImagesKawhi Leonard #2, Patrick Beverley #21, Paul George #13, Head Coach Doc Rivers, Montrezl Harrell #5 and Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers
The L.A. Clippers’ next two games are back-to-back. In order to keep up with Leonard’s load management plans, it is unknown if George and Leonard will take the court together in Thursday night’s second half of the back-to-back schedule. It is also unknown whether or not George will be placed on the same schedule as Leonard, considering that he is just coming back from a rehabilitating injury.
It is likely the L.A. Clippers will also miss guard Landry Shamet in this week’s games due to an ankle injury he suffered in Monday night’ game against the Toronto Raptors. Per Chris Haynes, Shamet was scheduled for an MRI this morning but an update on his injury status has yet to be released.