The Los Angeles Clippers have been without their best two players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, for a large chunk of the season.
Leonard still appears to be a ways away from a return, but Clippers fans got some positive news about George on Thursday.
According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, George practiced with the Clippers for the first time since December, before he was ruled out with injury.
Youngmisuk spoke with Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue about George’s progress, and he had positive things to say about his rehab thus far.
“He is doing good,” Lue said. “He hasn’t felt any pain, so that is a positive thing. Just working on his conditioning and just making sure he can continue to go through the minimal contact without having any issue. So as of right now, it hasn’t been a problem.”
Since December, George has been injured with a torn ligament in his right elbow, playing most recently in the Clippers’ Dec. 22 matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Before the injury, George had played in 26 games for the Clippers this season and averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
While no specific timetable was given for George’s return, Lue told Youngmisuk that he hopes to get his injured players, including guard Norman Powell, who is out with a broken foot, back for at least one game before the playoffs.
George’s impact on the Clippers can’t be understated. Over his 12 seasons in the NBA, George has accumulated seven All-Star appearances, six All-NBA Team appearances, and four All-Defensive Team appearances.
The Clippers (36-38) have just eight games remaining this season and sit eighth in the Western Conference. The next game for Los Angeles will be a visit to Philadelphia on Friday to take on the 76ers (45-27).
