Paul George out for Clippers’ play-in game vs. Pelicans

The Los Angeles Clippers will likely be with out Paul George for the staff’s play-in recreation towards the New Orleans Pelicans Friday evening.

George entered the league’s well being and security protocols. Lawrence Frank, the staff’s president of basketball operations, introduced the ahead’s standing hours earlier than tip-off. The winner of the sport will acquire the No. 8 seed within the playoffs. The Clippers misplaced to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 7 seed.

“We really feel actually unhealthy for Paul and hope for a speedy restoration,” Frank mentioned, including that George wasn’t feeling nicely Thursday.

“That is one other problem for our group. The group has handled challenges all 12 months. We’ve had guys out and in of the lineup. We’ve handled overcoming massive deficits and but this group has all the time responded.”

BEN SIMMONS SITUATION BECOMING ‘DISTRACTION’ FOR NETS, RETIRED NBA CHAMP SAYS

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) drives previous Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) in the course of the first quarter of a recreation Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Minneapolis.
(AP Photograph/Andy Clayton-King)

George has been an enormous contributor to the Clippers’ offense since his return in the midst of the season. He missed 43 video games with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow.

The staff was 22-25 with out George this season.

The 31-year-old averaged 24.3 factors and 6.9 rebounds in 31 video games this season.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George celebrates in the course of the fourth quarter of the staff’s play-in recreation towards the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Minneapolis.
(AP Photograph/Andy Clayton-King)

He scored 34 factors in a 109-104 loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Ought to the Clippers defeat the Pelicans, they’ll play the Phoenix Suns within the first spherical of the playoffs.

The Related Press contributed to this report.