For the first time in three months, the LA Clippers were able to list Paul George as something other than 'out' on their team list for their game against the Jazz on Tuesday night, with PG making a triumphant comeback.
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George, who hadn't played since Dec. 22, completed rehab on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, was upgraded to questionable on Monday and was cleared to play at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
Ready to roll! pic.twitter.com/uqXwXKWkba
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 30, 2022
The Clippers snapped a five-game losing streak with their comeback from a 25-point deficit, securing a 121-115 victory over the Jazz, but the win appeared to take a backseat to the franchise finally getting one of its cornerstone pieces back just in time for the Play-In tournament.
The victory doesn't have much effect on the Clippers in the standings - they are secure in eighth, six games behind Minnesota and 4.5 games ahead of the Pelicans - but it will give the team a much-needed boost for their Play-In match-up with the Timberwolves (provided the standings remain as is).
How did Paul George perform in his return?
PG was back like he never left.
In case people forgot in this era of social media jokes and memes, Paul George is a very, very good basketball player, and despite missing 43 games, he played like he hadn't missed a beat.
Clippers' coach Ty Lue said pre-game that George would be on a minutes restriction.
George finished the game with 34 points (10-of-20 shooting and 6-of-9 from three), six assists, four steals and two rebounds in 31 minutes of court-time.
He had 20 points in the third quarter alone.
PAUL GEORGE (28 PTS) IS BACK LIKE HE NEVER LEFT!
— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2022
20 points in Q3 alone.
Start of Q4 on TNT pic.twitter.com/48jp2wUHO0
Postgame he spoke about why he decided to return now.
"Just having an idol like Kobe Bryant, who you know plays through stuff like this, and I always hold myself to a high standard," George said on TNT.
"At the end of the day when I finish, I want to look at my career and say I gave everything I had. I wanted to help my guys, I didn't want to leave them out there hanging for the rest of the season. I felt good, so it was only right to come back."
Welcome Back @YG_Trece!@LAClippers #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/X68VYSbAzK
— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2022
What does George's return mean for the Clippers?
As we mentioned the Clippers are secure in that No. 8 seed in the Western Conference so George's return won't move them up into a guaranteed playoff spot at this late stage of the season.
What it does do, however, is boost the team's confidence heading into the Play-In tournament. The Clips were 19-24 in the absence of PG, and actually, should be commended for being able to maintain the position they are in despite not having George, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell for long stretches this season.
There is renewed optimism that Powell could return within the next 7-10 days according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
"Norman Powell has been shooting on the court with the team, and I'm told that they hope to have him within the next 7-10 days practicing and perhaps back with the team," Youngmisuk said.
Leonard's status is still up in the air, but if the Clippers are able to get Powell back in time for the Play-In game, and George is able to perform like he did Tuesday night against the Jazz, all of a sudden the Clippers look like a dangerous prospect should they progress into the playoffs.
The Clippers had been in the midst of a season-worst stretch with their five-game losing streak prior to defeating the Jazz, and George's return provided not only a scoring boost but a steadying presence on the team as well.
While guys like Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and the like have done their best to keep their head above water, George is now back to help alleviate some of that responsibility.
Should the Clippers remain in the eighth seed it means they will have two chances to reach the playoffs: a road game against whoever finishes No. 7, and if they lose that, a home matchup with whoever wins the No. 9 vs. No. 10 Play-In game - which could be anyone of New Orleans, San Antonio and fellow Crypto.com Arena tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers.
George averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals in 26 previous games this season.
