Clippers’ Paul George will miss tonight’s play-in game against New Orleans

Clippers star Paul George has entered the NBA’s well being and security protocols and can miss Friday’s sport towards New Orleans to resolve the Western Convention’s eighth and closing playoff spot.

George hadn’t felt nicely Thursday and the group realized he had entered the NBA’s COVID-related protocols Friday morning earlier than a shootaround on the group’s Playa Vista observe facility, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank advised reporters.

George scored a game-high 34 factors within the Clippers’ loss Tuesday to Minnesota within the first sport of the play-in, a outcome that left the Clippers needing to beat New Orleans at Crypto.com Enviornment to advance to a first-round collection towards top-seeded Phoenix.

It’s nonetheless not recognized if the Clippers shall be with out reserve guard Luke Kennard, whose 44.9% three-point accuracy led the NBA. He missed the loss in Minnesota due to a sore proper hamstring and stays listed as questionable Friday.

The event places the Clippers in a well-known place: taking part in short-handed. The Clippers have had months of preparation for such a second. Regardless of taking part in the complete season with out the injured Kawhi Leonard, and accidents sidelining George for all however 32 video games and new addition Norman Powell for seven weeks, the Clippers completed the common season 42-40 for the West’s eighth-best document.

After Tuesday’s play-in loss at Minnesota, Powell mentioned he would should be extra aggressive on offense Friday, a sentiment that takes on much more significance with George’s absence. Powell made his first 4 pictures earlier than ending five-for-nine towards the Timberwolves.