The 76ers have hit consecutive roadblocks, with injuries derailing their star players' availability.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has faced familiar challenges with availability since joining the team. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that George’s struggles with staying on the court, combined with injuries to other stars, have raised concerns among league executives. This situation has led some to label the Sixers as “Clippers East.”
A Western Conference executive highlighted the parallels between George’s current stint and his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, saying, “The Sixers got Paul George and have become the Clippers East for now. They’re going to have to hang on during the regular season and just hope to get into the playoffs with their top two guys healthy and try for lightning in a bottle. It was always like that with PG and Kawhi [Leonard].”
So far in the 2024-25 season, George has only played two games, averaging 16.5 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Meanwhile, star center Joel Embiid has yet to take the court this season. Guard Tyrese Maxey is also sidelined, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that he is expected to “miss weeks” due to a right hamstring injury.
The absence of these key players has contributed to a rough 1-6 start for Philadelphia. Embiid’s anticipated return for Tuesday’s NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks may provide a needed boost, but the team’s overall health remains a concern.
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Paul George’s five-year history with the LA Clippers suggests that such consistency might be hard to achieve for the 76ers.
During his tenure with the Clippers, George played in 74 games in 2023-24, his most in any season with the team. However, in the prior four seasons, he never appeared in more than 56 games. Similarly, Kawhi Leonard, his former teammate, also struggled with availability, never playing more than 57 games during the same period and missing the entire 2021-22 season.
These injury woes limited the Clippers’ playoff potential, with the team only reaching the Conference Finals once and facing tough first-round opponents due to middle-seed finishes.
The 76ers risk a similar trajectory, potentially struggling to keep pace with Eastern Conference powerhouses like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.
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