PAUL George went down hard in the fourth quarter. He may have taken the Los Angeles Clippers’ championship hopes with him.
George got hurt in Tuesday night’s (Wednesday morning, March 22, 2023, PH time) 101-100 loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The star guard hit the court after getting fouled by Luguentz Dort with 4:38 remaining. He lay on his back for several minutes before being helped to his feet. Supported by staff on either side, George headed to the locker room, appearing unable to put any weight on his right leg.
“I went up for the rebound, kind of hit his leg,” Dort said. “I didn’t do it on purpose, definitely an accident.”
There was no immediate update on George after the game. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said he was still being evaluated. George later left the arena on the back of a cart with his right leg extended.
George’s running mate, Kawhi Leonard, said he hadn’t spoken to George afterward.
“I didn’t see the play,” Leonard. “I just thought he got hit in the face at the time.”
George had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Potentially losing him so close to the end of the regular season could put the Clippers’ postseason aspirations in jeopardy.
“Next man up,” Leonard said about the possibility of playing without George. “We got a group of guys that still want to win, like to play basketball, so we’ll see what happens.”
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points against his former team. Jalen Williams added 20 points for the Thunder. (AP)