Paul George has flown out of the gate on fire after returning to the number one offensive option for the Los Angeles Clippers (6-4) with Kawhi Leonard out of the lineup. After the Clippers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers (5-6) Tuesday 117-109, PG-13’s contributions have powered the team to a five-game winning streak.
Paul George is playing at an MVP level this season.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 10, 2021
26.7 PPG
8.3 RPG (career-high)
5.4 APG (career-high)
2.5 SPG (career-high)
46/36/86%
The Clippers have won 5 in a row. pic.twitter.com/pGtrBL6J4J
After George put up a stat line of 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, Portland head coach Chauncey Billups agrees, according to Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports.
“He’s playing on an MVP level,” Billups said. “I think he knows the challenge he has ahead of him this year with no Kawhi for now. You just want a guy like that to put everybody on his back and say, ‘Let’s go, let’s give ourselves a chance.’ And he has done that every single night. He’s just a matchup nightmare, man. You can’t guard him with one guy. Now that his playmaking is better, he just puts you in some tough spots.”
Tough move. Tough finish.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 10, 2021
📺 @BallySportWest | @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/gkwVJoJgfg
George is riding high as he was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday. He is ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring behind Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and DeMar DeRozan. He’s contributing defensively and ranks second in the NBA in steals per game with 2.5 while the Clippers rank third in the League in defensive rating at 101.7.
George averages 26.7 points on 45.8% shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
