Paul George Returns for Sixers; Injuries Plague Mavericks; Wizards Skid Reaches 11 Games
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PHILADELPHIA — Paul George played his first game in eight months on Monday, logging 21 minutes in the 76ers’ two-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The veteran forward, facing his former team, scored nine points and collected seven rebounds under a strict minutes restriction.
“It felt great to finally play basketball again,” George told reporters, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. He added that any increase in playing time will depend on how his knee responds and the recommendation of Philadelphia’s training staff.
The 76ers remain without Joel Embiid, who missed a fourth consecutive game with right knee soreness. Head coach Nick Nurse said the reigning MVP is still day-to-day and not yet pain-free but “isn’t far off” from returning.
Mavericks Still Short-Handed
In Dallas, head coach Jason Kidd voiced frustration over the team’s lengthy injury list. “Our health is a big problem,” Kidd said, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “There’s no continuity. There won’t be any continuity.”
The Mavericks have mixed and matched lineups nightly while monitoring minute limits for several regulars. League sources have also told Hoops Wire that veterans Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson understand they could be involved in trade discussions.
Wizards’ Slide Continues
Washington suffered its 11th straight defeat on Sunday, falling to the Brooklyn Nets by 23 points. It marked the Wizards’ league-worst sixth loss of at least 20 points this season.
Head coach Brian Keefe delivered a blunt postgame message that forward Kyshawn George relayed to The Washington Post. “Look at yourself in the mirror and answer the deeper questions,” George said. “What do you really want in life? What do we want to build? Make sure you answer the question correctly and come with the right mindset the next day.”
Players then held a closed-door meeting as the team remained anchored to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Source: Hoops Wire
