Los Angeles Clippers star guard Paul George has not played in a game for the team since December 22 after tearing the UCL in his right elbow.
Despite the Clippers being short-handed for much of the season without George and co-star Kawhi Leonard, the team has stayed afloat, currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference.
it was reported on Monday by Clippers coach Tyronn Lue that George has progressed to five-on-five practice for the team, and that he could potentially return as early as this week for the team. Lue added that he wanted to see how George felt after practice on Monday and go from there.
Things seemingly went well for the seven-time All-Star. NBA insider Shams Charania has reported that George will suit up for the Clippers in their game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
Sources: Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George will return tonight vs. Utah, barring setback pregame. After missing over three months with UCL tear in elbow, a major comeback for one of the NBA’s best.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 29, 2022
This is massive news for the Clippers, who have clearly lacked a top-scoring option without George and Leonard this season, and it has the NBA world excited to see George back in action.
Welcome back Paul George https://t.co/fhzDkRwnTl
— Ron Carthen (@rcarthen) March 29, 2022
With Paul George likely returning tonight, so many guys up and down the roster deserve credit for maintaining a situation that would be worth returning to.
No way the Clippers should be securely in the play-in with the hand they were dealt this year. Big time stuff.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 29, 2022
Paul George will “likely” return tonight barring feeling something with his elbow after practicing and scrimmaging over the last two days. Also, if all continues to progress, Norm Powell could be back and practicing within 7-10 days. Clips getting healthier as play-in approaches pic.twitter.com/nudhp5hsd6
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) March 29, 2022
Me: *refresh* Chris Paul comes back!
Me: *refresh* PG13 comes back!
Me: C'MON
Me: *refresh* AD will probably be back soon!
Me: MPJ AND MURRAY GOOD NEWS ONLY
Me: *refresh* https://t.co/uI2ICvyzDk— Gordon Gross (@GMoneyNuggs) March 29, 2022
While it was seeming more and more that George would be back by the end of the season, it is a welcome surprise just a day after Lue’s comments that he’ll come back so much sooner.
When George has been on the court for the Clippers, he has been excellent, averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on the year. It should provide a massive boost to a Clippers team that needed it at the exact right time.
The team will almost certainly be in the NBA play-in tournament in a couple of weeks, and getting George back to full speed before then will likely be the team’s top priority.
