Paul George to Make His Clippers’ Debut Next Week

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

Los Angeles Clippers looked so good at the start of the season that it was easy to forget they are missing one important piece in superstar forward Paul George.

George still hasn’t made his debut for the Clippers, recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, but it seems like that moment is getting closer.

According to The Athletic‘s Sam Amick, George is scheduled to have his season debut next week. The 29-year-old All-Star will most likely play one of Clippers’ back-to-back games which include traveling to Houston Rockets and hosting New Orleans Clippers. 

Paul George joined the Clippers in the offseason in a blockbuster trade from Oklahoma City Thunder, forming one of the league’s best duos with Kawhi Leonard. George is coming off an All-NBA season with OKC in which he had career highs across the board, averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

George struggled with shoulder issues towards the end of the last season and decided to undergo procedures on both left and right shoulders in the offseason. The initial prognosis was that he will be out until November, so his return next week would mean the recovery went as expected.

In George’s absence, Leonard has been leading the Clippers, averaging 29.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.