FILE – Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP
A scheduled MRI exam that could determine if Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George plays again this season was moved from Thursday to Friday, multiple outlets reported.
George has not played since Dec. 22 because of a ligament tear in his right elbow. He first missed four games from Dec. 8-18, returned for two games then hit pause on his season, missing the team’s last 29 games.
ESPN reported last month that season-ending surgery still remains a possibility for George.
The Clippers have been without fellow star Kawhi Leonard after offseason knee surgery. George stepped up to score 24.7 points per game, along with 7.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
A seven-time All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection in 2018-19, George is in his 12th NBA season. In 732 career games (684 starts) with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers, the 31-year-old has averages of 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Instead of quitting on the season by dealing assets at the NBA trade deadline, the Clippers instead added Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Portland Trail Blazers. But Powell is also out indefinitely with a broken bone in his left foot.
Despite their injury issues, the Clippers were 30-31 and in the playoff mix at the All-Star break. They return to action Friday for a cross-town matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.