Just when the Los Angeles Clippers are starting to figure things out, they are haunted again by a Paul George injury.
Ever since George and Kawhi Leonard decided to join forces in 2019, the Clippers lineup has been plagued by injuries to either of the two.
The 2023-2024 season is starting to look different after they were able to string five straight wins.
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Clippers' starting five of PG13, Kawhi, new recruit James Harden, Terrence Mann, and Ivica Zubac has the third-best net rating among all starting lineups that played at least 200+ minutes together. Only the Boston Celtics' and Milwaukee Bucks' first fives were better.
Paul George's injury update
The latest on Paul George's injury has yet to be released, but coach Tyronn Lue's statement from the postgame conference suggests there is not much to worry about.
The 33-year-old forward missed the second half of the win over the Sacramento Kings due to a sore left groin he suffered while diving for a loose ball.
Lue said sitting out PG in the last 24 minutes was just a precaution, and he could've returned to the game if needed. The eight-time All-Star finished the game with nine points, six rebounds, and two steals.
However, the Clippers' camp will remain wary of PG's injury.
"While Lue's postgame comments offer hope that George will avoid an absence Thursday against the Warriors, the star forward's status will still need to be monitored leading up to that contest," CBS wrote.
Groin injury explained
A groin injury is something many top players of the league deal with from time to time. Damian Lillard, Lebron James, and Stephen Curry suffered the same injury at one point.
A National Center for Biotechnology Information study found that groin problems can inconvenience players once they retire.
A person contracts a groin injury when they make intense movements. A person is susceptible to tearing or overpulling a groin muscle when falling, pushing, lifting, or pulling heavy objects.
A groin injury can be a minor pull or a serious muscle tear, which means longer rehabilitation. When you get it, there will be pain and tenderness in your groin, which is more painful when the legs are squeezed together. The worst scenario is if there is swelling or bruising in the groin area or inner thigh.
Rest from intense physical contact is essential in curing groin injury. It can last two to three weeks, depending on the severity.
Paul George's injury history
George is no stranger to severe injuries. The most prominent of which was the gruesome knee injury he suffered during a televised scrimmage by Team USA. He recovered from it and even put up some of his best years.
However, finishing a season has been quite challenging for him since joining the Clippers. He missed the playoffs last season after hyperextending his knee in March. The season before that, injury-plagued Clips did not make the playoffs.
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