NBA fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of newly acquired Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George.
The Sixers begin their preseason on Monday evening against the New Zealand Breakers, after wrapping training camp in the Bahamas on Oct. 5. It remains a mystery whether George will appear in the game, sharing his focus is on the regular season.
“I’m not sure when that time will be,” George shared on Friday. “Just kind of taking it one day at a time and getting myself prepared for the regular season.”
There is no reason Philadelphia should overwork any members of their Big Three (George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey) in preseason. Assuring each of them are at full strength for their regular season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23 remains top priority.
The 76ers' preseason schedule is as follows:
Oct. 7: 76ers vs. New Zealand Breakers
Oct. 11: 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Oct. 12: 76ers at Boston Celtics
Oct. 14: 76ers at Atlanta Hawks
Oct. 16: 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Oct. 18: 76ers at Orlando Magic
Even when George appears in the preseason, fans should not expect it to be on a major scale. Top players tend to play in the range of 20 minutes, as the Boston Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each played 23 minutes in Sunday's game against the Nuggets. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic played just 18 minutes.
It is impossible to know for sure, but Embiid and George debuting against the Wolves appears the more likely outcome.
MORE 76ERS NEWS
Joel Embiid heckled by Yankees fans with brutal chant
Nick Nurse reveals 1 76ers player looks like a 'new guy'
