Is Paul George playing in the 2023 NBA Playoffs? Latest injury update on Clippers star

Sam Jarden

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Is Paul George playing in the 2023 NBA Playoffs? Latest injury update on Clippers star image

When the Clippers take the floor on Sunday night to open their playoff series against the Suns, they'll do it without one of their key players. 

Paul George has been ruled out of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs with a knee sprain. His absence will be a huge blow for a Clippers team going up against the Suns' star-studded roster that features Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

Although George says he's getting closer to a return, it's unclear when — or if — he'll make it back on the court this year. It's possible that his season could be over even if the Clippers advance to the second round or beyond.  

Here's the latest on George's injury and his status for the 2023 Playoffs:

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What is Paul George's injury?

George suffered a knee sprain during the Clippers' game against the Thunder on Tuesday, March 21. It happened when he was fighting for a rebound with OKC's Lu Dort on a play during the fourth quarter. 

"Initially I got the rebound and I see [Dort] swipe to try and get the ball, but it's out of his rebounding area," he said on his "Podcast P with Paul George". "I come down and feel his knee hit mine, and immediately I just felt my leg go back."

Luckily, there was no damage to his knee ligaments. The Clippers announced the next day that he would be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.

Wednesday marked exactly three weeks since the injury occurred, but there remains no specific timetable for his return. 

Is Paul George playing in the 2023 Playoffs?

According to multiple reports ahead of Game 1, George is likely to miss the Clippers' entire first-round series against the Suns due to a sprained right knee.

He's hopeful of making it back on the floor if the Clippers make it past the first round, but George's status is very much up in the air right now. He provided an update to fans on his podcast on Monday.

"I've been feeling better," he said. "I've been working my butt off, I've been grinding. Literally every day, six days out of the week I'm training, I'm doing rehab. I'm gonna give it every chance I got, man, this is coming down to the wire."

Of course, any potential return would first require the Clippers to win a very difficult series against the Suns. The good news for them is that Kawhi Leonard looks back to his best heading into the postseason.

MORE: Suns vs. Clippers playoff betting preview

NBA Playoff schedule 2023: First round

The Clippers will get their postseason underway against the Suns on Sunday, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

Here is the schedule for the first weekend of the 2023 NBA Playoffs: 

(All times Eastern)

Saturday, April 15

Game Time National TV (US) National TV (CA)
Nets vs. 76ers (Game 1) 1 p.m. ESPN TSN 1/5
Hawks vs. Celtics (Game 1) 3:30 p.m. ESPN TSN 1/5
Knicks vs. Cavaliers (Game 1) 6 p.m. ESPN TBD
Warriors vs. Kings (Game 1) 8:30 p.m. ABC TBD

Sunday, April 16

Game Time  National TV (US) National TV (CA)
Lakers vs. Grizzlies (Game 1) 3 p.m. ABC TSN 5
No. 8 seed vs. Bucks (Game 1) 5:30 p.m. TNT TSN 5
Clippers vs. Suns (Game 1) 8 p.m. TNT TSN 5
No. 8 seed vs. Nuggets (Game 1) 10:30 p.m. TNT TSN 5

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.