Paul George returns to the field in time to take on the Clippers – Daily News

INGLEWOOD – The Clippers’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night was expected to be a reunion of two players once connected by an area code but now separated by 2,741 miles.

Kawhi Leonard vs. Paul George – All-Stars who played together for five seasons in Los Angeles, but now wear opposing jerseys.

But fans hoping to see the former teammates come face-to-face on the field will have to settle for perhaps a hug or handshake between the two before the game. That’s as much contact as the two will share, because while George will be on the field for the 76ers at tip-off, Leonard will sit on the bench and deal with his troublesome right knee.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Monday that Leonard will not play this week and his return date remains unknown. The team is keeping his status quiet, with Lue only saying he’s making progress.

Meanwhile George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers this summermade his season debut on Monday in a close loss to the Phoenix Suns. He missed his new team’s first five games after suffering a left knee contusion during a preseason game.

Although rusty, George, one of the most skilled players in the league, generally made the Sixers (1-5) better with distance, giving them more space at the rim and giving Tyrese Maxey the freedom to score without worrying having to worry about the rest of the attack. .

“My condition was better than expected. I was tired. There were times where I got gassed, but you know, I wanted to play through that a little bit to deal with the stamina,” George, who scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting in 32 minutes, told reporters afterward.

Regardless of which jersey he wears now, Clippers center Ivica Zubac said it will be good to see George, who was first linked to Leonard in the summer of 2019 in an effort to bring a championship to LA

“It’s going to be great,” Zubac said. “He was a great teammate, a great friend, and it will be fun to play against him. It will be exciting.”