Just weeks after a highly anticipated move to the Philadelphia 76ers, All-Star forward Paul George has undergone knee surgery, casting immediate uncertainty over his availability for training camp and possibly beyond.
The team confirmed George had a scope procedure to address lingering pain in his right knee—a nagging issue dating back to his final weeks with the Clippers. While the surgery was considered minor and successful, the recovery timeline could push close to the start of the regular season.
George was expected to form a three-headed monster alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, giving Philly one of the most feared lineups in the Eastern Conference. But now, with George rehabbing and uncertain to participate in training camp, head coach Nick Nurse may have to delay his plans to build chemistry among the new core.
For the 76ers, this isn’t just a health setback—it’s a rhythm breaker. With Embiid still managing load and Maxey adjusting to increased playmaking duties, George was supposed to be the veteran glue. Instead, the Sixers may now be forced to rely more heavily on bench depth and hope George returns at full strength by November.
This also ramps up the pressure on the front office, which made a bold move to bring George in on a four-year max deal. If his knee doesn’t hold up, Philly risks a repeat of the “superteam curse” that’s plagued others in recent years.
Still, insiders say George is optimistic. “I’ll be ready when it matters,” he reportedly told team staff after surgery. For the Sixers, the question is whether “when it matters” starts later than expected.