Sixers forward Paul George will meet with doctors this weekend, according to head coach Nick Nurse, and if this “final hurdle” goes well, the nine-time All-Star could make his season debut in the near future, as Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports relays (Twitter links).
George, who is in the second season of a four-year, maximum-salary contract, has been a full practice participant for two-plus weeks, but has yet to play in 2025/26 after undergoing offseason knee surgery.
Two-way forward Dominick Barlow, who has missed the past six games after suffering a right elbow laceration that required a procedure to address, will miss this weekend’s back-to-back and has a follow-up meeting with his surgeon on Monday, Bodner adds.
We have more from Philadelphia:
- Nurse also provided an update on Jared McCain, who will miss one of the games this weekend and will remain on a minutes restriction for now (Twitter link via Bodner). The second-year guard’s season debut was delayed after he underwent thumb surgery. McCain, a 2024 first-round pick, missed most of his rookie season after undergoing season-ending surgery to deal with a torn meniscus. He wore a knee brace in his first game on Tuesday and will continue to do so for at least a month, which is when he’ll be reexamined (Twitter video link courtesy of PHLY Sixers). “It feels like …. unbalanced,” McCain said of the brace. “It just feels like it’s super heavy, like you’re lugging a whole leg, another leg, on top of your leg. It’s just hard to move.”
- Although McCain didn’t play well in Tuesday’s loss at Chicago, finishing with no points (on 0-of-4 shooting), two assists and one rebound in 15 minutes, the 21-year-old was grateful to return to action after last suiting up nearly 11 months ago, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. “There will be a lot of emotion,” McCain said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet. But I’m thankful for the medical staff, and I’m thankful to my support system. Conditioning-wise, I felt fine. I just have to get used to contact. It takes a minute. But hopefully it doesn’t take too long.”
- Quentin Grimes will be heading for unrestricted free agency next summer after signing his one-year, $8.7MM qualifying offer as a RFA over the offseason. The 25-year-old guard has boosted his stock in the early going due to his strong play as the team’s sixth man, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscriber link). “The opportunity that coach is giving me provides a lot of freedom out there on the court,” Grimes said. “The minutes he gave me are starter minutes to come off the bench at this point.” Through eight games (31.6 minutes per contest), Grimes is averaging 18.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .465/.385/.791 shooting.
IMO, I love what some of the moves the Knicks made the last few years. However, getting rid of Grimes was a mistake. Detroit and Dallas, I believe, feel the same way. I think Grimes is compared to Allen Houston.
Thibs put the guy in a straitjacket. It was weird to draft a point guard and never let him touch the ball
mlbnyyfan:
It’s hardly fair to say the Knicks made a mistake letting go of Grimes. He’s on his third team in three seasons since then.
Definitely think he’s better than his previous stops thought he was but comparing him to Allan Houston is a bit much
Houston had a sweet game. 40 percent career from three and he made it look easy.
That’s what I mean, like..Q Grimes is good but he isn’t Allan Houston
He didn’t handle Donte coming to team well. And his trade was all about money. Knicks had players they had to resign. In the end it was a mistake letting him go. Grimes is in his best shape in Philly. He is the leanest I have ever seen him. I think he finally woke up when Dallas traded him ……. Imo he would look good next to Luka. Grimes is a 2way guy.
OMG PG can you PLEASE just retire bruh.
Who decided age 34-37 PG13 was worth a max deal? Absolute insanity.
Morey’s mistake but drafting Maxey Vj and McCain. Getting Grimes was good as well.
Except then he severely lowballed him as a RFA, and essentially invited him to leave ASAP.
@Phillies Grimes is a great player. Unfortunately, now that VJ was drafted, he’s better off on another team. I’m comparing him to Houston he’s definitely not their yet, but he could be. I love OG, and getting KAT has killed the great depth the Knicks once had with Grimes, IQ, RJ, OB1.
Still have Bird rights.