Paul George scores 23 points for 76ers in his preseason debut

Paul George made his preseason debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and provided the kind of performance that Sixers fans are excited about for the upcoming season.

George scored 23 points to lead all scorers in the Sixers’ 121-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Des Moines, Iowa. The nine-time All-Star shot 8-for-15 from the floor, including 4-for-9 on 3-pointers, and added six rebounds in 26 minutes. He didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Tyrese Maxey added 21 for Philadelphia, followed by Kelly Oubre Jr. who scored 15. Andre Drummond grabbed 15 rebounds for the Sixers.

Joel Embiid did not play due to a “planned assessment” of his left knee, according to Sixers coach Nick Nurse.

George told reporters during Wednesday’s practice that his goals for Friday’s debut were to build his fitness and his on-field bond with teammates.

Naz Reid led the Timberwolves with 19 points, followed by 17 from Jaden McDaniels and 16 from Anthony Edwards. Donte DiVincenzo scored six points with seven rebounds in his first preseason game since joining the Timberwolves after being part of the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.

(Towns scored 25 points with 12 rebounds in his preseason debut for the Knicks on Wednesday.)

George joined the 76ers after signing a four-year maximum contract worth $212 million in free agency, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers after five seasons. Adding George to their star duo of Embiid and Maxey has increased championship expectations in Philadelphia, where the Sixers are a challenger to the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.

During his 15 NBA seasons, George averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 39% on three-pointers.

The 76ers will tip off the NBA regular season on Oct. 23, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks.