Philadelphia 76ers' forward Paul George has been sidelined for the rest of the NBA season due to persistent injuries, including left groin soreness. This development follows his absence from the team's last four games. Despite these setbacks, there is a silver lining for the 76ers as their position in the draft improves with their current standing. Their first-round pick is top-six protected, which means it could be secured if they maintain their current trajectory, preventing it from going to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George's struggles with injuries have been ongoing throughout the season. During the preseason, he hyperextended his left knee, causing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. Since then, George has battled through various ailments, including injuries to his groin, finger, and knee. Most recently, sources told ESPN that he received injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee to address these issues.
"I haven't been the healthiest, so it's just been putting a ton of work towards getting my body as healthy as possible, and to keep focus of obviously being here and trying to turn things around here and the full focus is trying to get this team together," George expressed regarding his recent decision to step away from his podcast, "Podcast P with Paul George," to concentrate on his health.
Paul George's decision to shut down for the season comes after extensive consultations with doctors over the past week. It's a move aimed at prioritizing long-term recovery over immediate participation. George's injury history this season includes a hyperextended knee in November and a left pinkie finger injury in January, both contributing to significant missed time on the court.
The 76ers' recent struggles have seen them hovering around the sixth-worst record in the league. This positioning offers potential benefits in terms of draft picks but has also highlighted the challenges faced by the team this season. The absence of Joel Embiid, ruled out for the remainder of the season on February 28, compounds these difficulties.
In July, Paul George signed a four-year, $212 million max deal with the 76ers after spending five seasons with the LA Clippers. Despite playing through pain and taking painkilling injections before the NBA All-Star break in February, he managed to average 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the 41 games he played.
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