This has been a tricky season for the Los Angeles Clippers. Not only have they been missing star forward Kawhi Leonard for the whole season but they’ve also been without Paul George for the majority of it as well. The team still somehow has the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 36-39 record.
The Clippers will almost certainly be in the play-in tournament this postseason. The good news is that it appears they could be getting one of their star players back at the perfect time.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue spoke with the Los Angeles Times on Monday, where he left open the possibility for a Paul George return as soon as this week.
“We’ve got to see how today’s practice goes and see how he’s feeling and just go from there,” said Lue. “Whatever the medical staff seems to think is ideal, that’s what we’ll do. It would be huge and like I always say hope is stronger than fear so to have the hope that he could come back would be great for our team.”
George has progressed to five-on-five practice for the team, which is often the final step before a player returns to action.
The seven-time All-Star has not played in a game for the Clippers since December 22 after tearing the UCL in his right elbow. It has been a difficult year for George, playing in only 26 games on the season thus far.
This potential return has certainly gotten the NBA world talking, with many thinking the Clippers could be a dark horse this postseason if George is back at full strength.
Don’t sleep on the Clippers. https://t.co/XZsPsI7pEO
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 28, 2022
Clippers about to roll into the play-in with a full team.😂
Kawhi just going to appear out of nowhere. https://t.co/9DN86HRVyd
— Russ Heltman (@russheltman11) March 28, 2022
Bulls host Clippers on Thursday 👀 https://t.co/cHWSnSqGD2
— Matt Peck (@Bulls_Peck) March 28, 2022
Paul George really might come back this week 😭 https://t.co/FODqNrBqCb
— Locked On Clippers (@lockedonclips) March 28, 2022
The Clippers have been respectable this season despite clearly being overmatched without their star players. George’s return in time for the NBA Playoffs could end up playing a huge role in how well they do.
[LA Times]
