Paul George is finally ready to debut with the Philadelphia 76ers.
George will make his season debut for the franchise on Monday night in their matchup against the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. George has been dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee this fall after going down in a preseason game against the Hawks last month.
He participated in a five-on-five practice with the 76ers on Friday and participated normally in practice on Sunday, according to Charania. Barring any setbacks, he will be in the lineup Monday night at the Footprint Center.
George is one of two 76ers stars who has yet to play this season, which has sparked some controversy and an investigation by the league. Joel Embiid has also not played while suffering from a left knee injury and it is still unclear when he will be able to do so. The 76ers worried about his health.
with and shoved Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes on Saturday night. The incident occurred after Hayes wrote a column about Embiid’s injury problems in which he referenced Embiid’s son and late brother. Embiid criticized Hayes, and then Saturday’s incident occurred after the two “had a verbal argument.” Embiid will not play Monday night.
George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers this past offseason. He averaged 22.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he earned his second consecutive All-Star nomination.
The 76ers enter Monday’s contest with a 1-4 record. Their only win came in overtime against the Indiana Pacers, where Embiid received a technical foul for waving a towel in the bench area during a free throw attempt. After Monday’s game in Arizona, the 76ers will conclude their three-game road trip with games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers in Southern California.
