The Philadelphia 76ers are facing a tough challenge when they host the Boston Celtics at home on Tuesday night, as Paul George's knee injury is expected to keep him out for an extended period.
The 35-year-old shooting guard underwent surgery on his left knee in July after suffering a third significant injury in roughly 10 months. The arthroscopic procedure has derailed George's season so far, with the nine-time All-Star logging only 41 appearances in his first season with the Sixers. As a result, he is now likely to miss at least the first 11 games of his second campaign in Philadelphia.
While George's absence is a significant blow to the team, another player who has been struggling with injuries could be returning soon. Jared McCain, who had a thumb splint and knee brace during practice on Monday, was listed as available for Tuesday's game against the Celtics.
However, two other players are dealing with more serious injuries that will keep them out of action. Dominick Barlow suffered an elbow laceration that has forced him to miss nine full games, while Johni Broome sprained his ankle during his NBA G League debut on Saturday afternoon and is currently unavailable for both legs of the team's weekend back-to-back.
The Sixers' injury report released on Monday provides a glimpse into the challenges that coach Ime Udoka faces in terms of player management. With George, Barlow, and Broome all missing significant time, Udoka will need to rely heavily on other players, including Joel Embiid, who is not listed as injured but could still be impacted by his teammates' absences.
As the Sixers look to navigate this challenging stretch, they will have to find a way to overcome their injuries and stay competitive against a strong Celtics team.
The 35-year-old shooting guard underwent surgery on his left knee in July after suffering a third significant injury in roughly 10 months. The arthroscopic procedure has derailed George's season so far, with the nine-time All-Star logging only 41 appearances in his first season with the Sixers. As a result, he is now likely to miss at least the first 11 games of his second campaign in Philadelphia.
While George's absence is a significant blow to the team, another player who has been struggling with injuries could be returning soon. Jared McCain, who had a thumb splint and knee brace during practice on Monday, was listed as available for Tuesday's game against the Celtics.
However, two other players are dealing with more serious injuries that will keep them out of action. Dominick Barlow suffered an elbow laceration that has forced him to miss nine full games, while Johni Broome sprained his ankle during his NBA G League debut on Saturday afternoon and is currently unavailable for both legs of the team's weekend back-to-back.
The Sixers' injury report released on Monday provides a glimpse into the challenges that coach Ime Udoka faces in terms of player management. With George, Barlow, and Broome all missing significant time, Udoka will need to rely heavily on other players, including Joel Embiid, who is not listed as injured but could still be impacted by his teammates' absences.
As the Sixers look to navigate this challenging stretch, they will have to find a way to overcome their injuries and stay competitive against a strong Celtics team.