Paul George and his Philadelphia 76ers teammates experienced a cold welcome from the city’s passionate sports fans during their appearance at WWE SmackDown on Friday night. Despite trying to engage with the crowd by holding up a custom 76ers championship belt, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with boos raining down from the stands at the Wells Fargo Center.
Paul George pulled up to WWE Smackdown in Philly tonight…
The crowd booed him 😬 (via @FadeAwayMedia)pic.twitter.com/t5odAF8Nan
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 8, 2025
This moment captured the growing frustration of Philadelphia fans, who have endured a disastrous season from their team. The 76ers, currently sitting at 21-41 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, have been plagued by injuries and underwhelming performances.
Their struggles have been magnified by the recent news that Joel Embiid will be shut down for the remainder of the season, ending any slim playoff hopes the team may have had.
Without Embiid and George performing at an elite level, the 76ers have one of the worst records in the NBA since January, and their fan base has run out of patience.
George, the team’s marquee offseason signing, has struggled to live up to expectations, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, his wors year in a decade.
Philly crowd just booed Paul George and the Sixers out of their own building during WWE #SmackDown. 😬 @PHLSixersNation pic.twitter.com/Zc4V4wjs6E
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) March 8, 2025
Given these circumstances, it was no surprise that Philadelphia fans—known for their brutally honest reactions—let George and his teammates hear their discontent.
The incident gained attention beyond the WWE event, with announcer Joe Tessitore acknowledging the boos on the USA Network broadcast, commenting on how Philly fans can have a “mixed reaction when struggles happen.”
This was another reminder of the city’s high standards for its athletes, where effort and results dictate public perception.
The 76ers entered the season with championship aspirations after signing George to a four-year, $212 million deal in free agency to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, a string of injuries derailed their hopes early.
Embiid has missed significant time, Maxey has had his struggles, and George himself has failed to make a significant impact. As a result, the team has found itself far from playoff contention, leaving fans disillusioned.
Amidst the team’s visible struggles, George has now openly criticized his teammates. Following their eight-game losing streak, he threw his teammates under the bus, questioning their attitude and lack of competitive fire.
To make matters worse, George recently suspended his popular podcast, Podcast P, to “focus on the 76ers’ unlikely playoff run.” While some saw this as a sign that he’s taking the situation seriously, others mocked the idea of a playoff push for a team that has lost eight straight games and is sinking deeper into irrelevance.
The frustration in Philadelphia is reaching a breaking point, with speculation growing that George could be shut down for the remainder of the season. Head coach Nick Nurse addressed the possibility, stating that they will continue to assess his health and that the medical staff will determine his availability.
With only 20 games remaining, the organization may decide that it is best to rest George and regroup for next season.
George’s struggles this season are part of a larger issue for the 76ers. Since trading James Harden to the Clippers, the team has lacked consistency and star power, falling out of the playoff race. This marks a sharp decline for a franchise that had reached the playoffs for seven straight years and had been one of the East’s top contenders.
Philadelphia’s passionate fan base has never been shy about holding athletes accountable, and the WWE SmackDown moment was just another example. If George and the 76ers don’t turn things around soon, these boos may only grow louder.
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