Paul George is expected to play his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, facing off against the Phoenix Suns, pending any setbacks in his knee injury recovery. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the All-Star forward has been working through a bone bruise on his left knee, sustained during an exhibition game against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 14. George missed the first five games of the 76ers’ season as a result.
Currently, the 34-year-old is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, signaling some caution over his return. Meanwhile, fellow All-Star Joel Embiid has also not appeared in any games for Philadelphia this season due to persistent knee issues.
Before joining Philadelphia, George averaged 22.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The nine-time All-Star signed a four-year, $212-million contract with the Sixers over the summer, bringing experience and scoring power to the team.
Philadelphia has struggled to find momentum early in the 2024-25 season, winning only one of their first five games. After their matchup with the Suns, the 76ers will continue a challenging West Coast road trip, with games scheduled against George’s former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Wednesday, and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.