Sixers upgrade George for road trip in Phoenix originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
For the first time this regular season, the Sixers’ official injury report on Sunday night did not list either Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (left knee bone bruise) as out.
While Embiid will miss the Sixers’ game Monday night against the Suns, the team has listed George as questionable. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he is “expected to make his season debut” in Phoenix, “barring any setbacks.”
The 5-1 Suns listed Bradley Beal as questionable with a right elbow sprain.
At 1-4the Sixers could make heavy use of all the traits that made George a nine-time All-Star. Going into Sunday night, the team ranked 28th in the NBA in offensive rating out of garbage time and 28th in net rating.
Tyrese Maxey carried an enormous burden, playing a league-high 41.0 minutes per game and averaged 29.8 points and 4.8 assists.
“I think from what I’ve seen so far, just being a passer, a playmaker,” George said Friday about how he envisions helping the Sixers offense. “And allowing guys to play off the catch a little bit more, where they’re more comfortable playing, being able to get down.
“I think it just takes a lot of pressure off them mentally by having another scorer and another person that the defense has to be responsible for. … From my point of view, (Maxey) works extremely hard and I think that’s where I’m going to take some of that pressure off.”
George has been out since injuring his knee during the Sixers’ Oct. 14 preseason game against the Hawks. He was a full participant in the Sixers’ practice on Friday and said as much achieving game-level conditioning was “the last box I have to check.” The next morning, he ran floor-length sprints after shooting and then did an individual workout under the guidance of Sixers assistant coach Rico Hines.
After their game in Phoenix, the Sixers will head to Los Angeles and play George’s former team. They will face the Clippers on Wednesday night and the Lakers on Friday.
