Paul George’s frustration was palpable after he was forced to sit out overtime during the Philadelphia 76ers’ 107-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. Due to a minutes restriction following his recent return from a bone bruise in his left knee, Paul George had already logged 33 minutes by the end of regulation, hitting his limit.
“I mean, completely frustrated. I was completely frustrated. Just the way this game was going, I wanted to be out there for the guys with that commitment to try to win the game, especially when you’re at home, you get on the good side. Luckily, my guys had me.”
It was evident that the competitive fire in George, combined with his leadership role on a new team, made it hard for him to accept watching from the bench during crunch time.
George’s return from injury has been met with some challenges, both in terms of rhythm and efficiency. In his fourth game back, George scored 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting, including a difficult 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. His play in the fourth quarter was less than stellar, going 0-for-5 from the field and missing a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer. However, he contributed in other ways, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 9 assists, and tallying 2 steals.
The Sixers’ head coach, Nick Nurse, emphasized that the minutes restriction is part of a cautious approach to ensure George’s long-term health.
“That’s been an issue for sure. He’s even talked to me about it. I know we’re trying to limit those, you know, 24-to-25 is tough. I would’ve never in a million years taken him out with a tie game with three minutes to go in the first half the other night.”
“That ends up stinging us pretty hard, but he was already at his halfway point of the game and the second half is more important.”
“He’s also, like, a lot of these guys–sometimes, they don’t get into the feel of the game until the five or six minute mark and they need from the six minute mark down to the two mark to make their impact in a quarter. He’s talked to me about that. It’s been difficult for him for that reason.”
George has previously exceeded his restriction, playing 31 minutes in his season debut, but the team is keen on adhering to it moving forward.
Despite his limited play, George continues to integrate into the team. His chemistry with new teammates, especially rookie Jared McCain and Guerschon Yabusele, is developing quickly. McCain, who led the team with a career-high 27 points, was singled out by George as a major factor in the victory. Yabusele also benefited from George’s playmaking, receiving six assists from the veteran forward en route to a 20-point outing.
This game showcased George’s ability to impact the game beyond scoring, but it also highlighted his struggle to establish a rhythm with restricted minutes. Nurse’s decision to keep George on the bench in overtime was met with mixed emotions, but it ultimately allowed the Sixers to secure the win without jeopardizing George’s health.
As Philadelphia moves forward, managing George’s minutes will be crucial. While he’s averaging 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on 38.9% shooting from the field and an uncharacteristically low 16.0% from three, his impact on the court is still undeniable.
The Sixers will look to carefully increase his minutes as the season progresses, hoping to unlock the full potential of their veteran star while avoiding any setbacks.
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