Camila Sosa
At the beginning of the week, Los Angeles Clippers received one of the best possible news at perhaps the most important moment of their entire season: their superstar Paul George could return to play minutes on the duel after more than three months since he got injured. George suffered a ligament rupture in his right elbow, which has had him without playing a single game since December 22, 2021.
Yesterday, reports of George practicing with the team since Sunday emerged, in addition to Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, communicating the possibility that his star could play again this week depending on what he looked like in practice that same day and with the opinion of the franchise’s medical team. Apparently they only gave positive news for PG13 because some hours later after the statements of their coach, the team’s communications department announced it as “questionable” for today’s game against the Utah Jazz.
This does not guarantee that George will return to the court tonight but the possibility exists, and if not today, his next opportunities will come on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls, or on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 31-year-old forward’s return comes at a time when the organization needs him most, coming on a five-game losing streak and having to face three teams with winning records this week.
“It would be huge (the return of Paul George). As I always say hope is stronger than fear, to have the hope that he can come back would be excellent for our team, right now we are not playing in the best way and having someone as elite as PG back would definitely help us in everything.”
Tyronn Lue, coach of the Los Angeles Clippers to the Orange County Register.
Before his injury, George was having one of the best seasons of his career with averages of 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2 steals in 26 games played, although his field percentages were not the best (42.1% overall, 32.3% on triples), this is because he was the main focus of the team and Kawhi Leonard’s injury still had him off the court, and the Clippers had not acquired Norman Powell (who also remains injured with a broken foot) by this time.
With a four-game gap above ninth place, the Clippers seem destined to secure eighth place in the Western Conference with a 36-39 record, however a string of losses would put them at risk of losing the spot should both the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers have a positive streak (which is quite unlikely).
If everything remains as it is, the Angels would face the Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh place to enter the postseason in the NBA play-in tournament, which will take place starting April 12.
