NBA Rumors: 76ers’ Paul George expected to return from knee injury against Durant, Suns | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers is expected to make his season debut Monday night against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

George is dealing with a bruise in his left knee, sidelining him alongside fellow Sixers superstar Joel Embiid, who also has yet to play in the 2024-25 season.

The Sixers did that officially stated George is questionable for Monday night, while Embiid (left knee injury manager) remains out.

Philadelphia was looking forward to George’s debut after he was the biggest free agent signing of the summer, and one of the biggest in Sixers franchise history. Without George and Embiid, the Sixers have gotten off to a 1-4 start.

The trio of Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey was expected to make the Sixers one of the top contenders in the NBA. However, the three have yet to share the field in the regular season, while fans are eager to see them in action.

George said last month that he suffered the injury while extending the ball in preseason.

“I reached for (the ball) and stuck it out,” he told reporters. “I was going to take a step to kind of burst through it, and then my leg stretched back a little bit. I felt like it was hyperextended, and immediately it was, ‘Okay, I need to get taken out and look at this.’ ‘ But if you ask me, I’m not that worried about that.”

As for Embiid, his injury is more unclear, but he said Friday that it dates back to last season.

“I had surgery in February or whenever, and I came back early to fight and play for the team, to give us a chance,” Embiid told reporters. “Unfortunately, we lost (to the Knicks in the playoffs). And then I had time to recover. I’m really still doing well since the last surgery. I’m just trying to find the best approach, but I feel pretty good.” I’ve started doing some live stuff and it feels pretty good, so I should be back soon.”

Embiid represented the United States in the Olympics and largely served as the team’s starting center, although he shared minutes with a number of players, including Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo.