If the Clippers want to reach the 2022 NBA Playoffs, they will have to defeat the Pelicans without Paul George.
The seven-time All-Star forward has been ruled out of Friday night's NBA Play-In Tournament game after entering the league's health and safety protocols. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps first reported the news, and Los Angeles confirmed George's status on Friday afternoon.
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George, who missed significant time during the regular season with an elbow injury, scored a team-high 34 points in Los Angeles' 109-104 loss against Minnesota.
Why Paul George will miss game vs. Pelicans
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank revealed that George "wasn't feeling well" on Thursday, and the team learned that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
"We feel very bad for Paul," Frank said. "This is another challenge for our group. ... We've dealt with challenges all year."
This is not an unfamiliar position for Los Angeles. George only played 31 regular-season games, as he had to recover from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Who will need to step up for the Clippers?
Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris were the most consistent sources of offense with George out, so Clippers coach Tyronn Lue will rely on them once again. Los Angeles will also expect a boost in production from trade deadline acquisitions Norman Powell and Robert Covington.
An additional Clippers player to monitor: Luke Kennard. The 25-year-old shooting guard missed the Play-In Tournament opener against the Timberwolves because of a lingering hamstring injury, but it's possible he suits up on Friday.
Paul George 2021-22 stats, highlights
- 24.3 points per game
- 6.9 rebounds per game
- 5.7 assists per game
- 2.2 steals per game
- 0.4 blocks per game
- 4.1 turnovers per game
- 34.7 minutes per game
- 42.1 percent shooting
- 35.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.8 percent free throw shooting
