Paul George’s knee has been a problem all season long. Now it’s landed him on the operating table just when the Philadelphia 76ers need him most.
The nine-time All-Star left the Los Angeles Clippers last summer, signing a four-year, $211,584,940 deal. Adding George to a roster that already featured seven-time All-Star center Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey, an All-Star and winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2024, seemed like an easy decision.
Things did not go as planned.
How Did Paul George’s Injury Impact the 76ers’ Championship Plans?
George only played in 41 games and looked nothing like his former self. The 10th-overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft put up just 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc, and 81.4% from the charity stripe, all down from his career numbers.
Embiid, a two-time scoring champion and the NBA MVP in 2023, was once again plagued by injuries. After playing in just 39 games during the 2023-24 season, Embiid was limited to 19 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
However, Maxey was excellent, averaging 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, but also missed 30 games.
The 76ers’ lack of success, mostly due to their injuries in the 2024-25 season, has put a lot of pressure on George and Embiid.
What Does This Latest Setback Mean for Philadelphia?
George had issues with his left knee throughout the season and suffered a larger injury during a recent workout, forcing him into arthroscopic knee surgery Monday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Monday to treat an injury suffered during a recent workout, a team official tells ESPN. George will now begin a rehab program and be re-evaluated prior to start of training camp. pic.twitter.com/cMX6uANlmY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2025
“Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Monday to treat an injury suffered during a recent workout, a team official tells ESPN,” Charania reported. “George will now begin a rehab program and be re-evaluated prior to start of training camp.”
George initially injured his knee before the 2024-25 regular season even began as he was banged up in the 76ers’ second preseason game. He later hyperextended the same knee and suffered a bone bruise as well.
The 76ers have since confirmed Charania’s report and announced they plan to re-evaluate George’s injury before the start of training camp.
With Embiid still not completely cleared for basketball activities, this could throw a real wrench in the 76ers’ plans, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic.
“The situation would put more of an onus on the Sixers coming to terms with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, who is probably best at shooting guard, but is dynamic enough to play minutes at small forward,” says Jones.
“It may also ensure that the Sixers once again have Kelly Oubre Jr. in the starting lineup, as he was for much of last season. Additionally, it would heighten the importance of integrating free agent signing Trendan Watford, who is the team’s only natural power forward playing on a standard contract.”
This is just another setback for George and the 76ers, who after building what looked like a championship roster around Embiid, seem cursed with injuries at every turn.
