Paul George: Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George is set to take the court against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. This news comes as a relief for the Sixers, who have struggled with a depleted lineup early in the 2024-2025 NBA season. George, who has been battling a bone bruise in his left knee, missed the team’s first five games but will be available for the matchup against the Lakers. However, his playing time will continue to be managed carefully.

George’s Return from Injury

Paul George’s knee injury, sustained during the 2024 preseason, had kept him sidelined until recently. In his first game back against the Phoenix Suns, George played over 30 minutes despite being listed on a minutes restriction. He scored 15 points, though his shooting was subpar, hitting just 29 percent of his attempts from the field. By his second game against the Los Angeles Clippers, his minutes were reduced to 23, but his performance showed improvement as he contributed 18 points.

Despite the progress, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse is not ready to push George to his full workload just yet. According to Ky Carlin of USA Today, Nurse is targeting at least 25 minutes for George against the Lakers. The coaching staff wants to ensure the veteran forward is eased back into action as he continues recovering from the bone bruise.

Impact on the Sixers’ Depth

The Sixers are facing the Lakers without key contributors Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid will serve the second game of a three-game suspension, while Maxey is sidelined with a hamstring injury and won’t be re-evaluated until next week. As a result, Paul George’s presence on the floor becomes even more critical for Philadelphia.

Throughout his career, George has been a formidable opponent for the Lakers, averaging 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game against them. With the Sixers missing two of their three All-Stars, George will be expected to step up and help keep the team competitive, even if his playing time is limited.

George’s Early Season Stats

In his first two games this season, George has averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 three-pointers per game. Despite limited minutes, he has shown flashes of his All-Star talent and defensive prowess. As the Sixers face the Lakers, fans will be watching closely to see how effective George can be and whether his minutes will increase in the coming weeks.

Tip-off is set for 10 PM ET, and the Sixers will need every bit of George’s scoring and leadership to make up for the absence of their other stars. The matchup against the Lakers will be a crucial test as Philadelphia navigates these early-season challenges, with George’s performance playing a pivotal role in their success.