Clippers’ Paul George Diagnosed with “Knee Sprain,” Won’t Need a Surgery

Paul George with OKC in 2018
Paul George with OKC in 2018. Photo by Jevone Moore/Cal Sport Media/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9366774al)

The LA Clippers received some great news on Friday. According to head coach Ty Lue, the team had the “best case scenario” with star forward Paul George’s recent injury considering that the player won’t need surgery.

George injured his knee in a 101-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week and had to be carted off the floor. The Clippers feared he might be lost for the season, but tests showed that the 32-year-old avoided a major injury. The ligaments were intact, and he has been officially diagnosed with a knee sprain, which significantly increases his chances to play again in 2022-23.

The Clippers won’t have George for the remainder of the regular season but remain hopeful of getting him back for their playoff run.

“He’s a little disappointed, as expected,” said Lue of George. “But I think we got the best case scenario as far as what we thought it could be. And so, being reevaluated in two, three weeks is something that we are looking forward to.”

Playing their first game after George’s injury, the Clippers routed the OKC in a rematch game on Thursday night to claim a 127-105 win. The LA team saw several players step up to replace George’s production, including Russell Westbrook, who had 24 points. The Clippers are currently sitting as the fourth seed in the West with eight more games left to play.