Paul George returned to play for the Sixers tonight after serving a 25-game suspension, and Philadelphia came away with the 157-137 victory over the Bulls. Prior to the game, Tony Jones of The Athletic broke down five crucial aspects that the team has been missing in George’s absence.
The number one attribute George brings to the table at this point is his perimeter defense, Jones writes, with the ability to guard larger forwards due to the weight he’s added over the years. Jones also highlights his perimeter shooter and how his presence allows other plays to slot into their natural roles more smoothly.
After the game, George spoke about the rest of the year, per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link), saying that his goal is to play in the remaining nine games of the regular season, if his body allows him to do so. He added that he felt more explosive than he did prior to the suspension.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Joel Embiid returned from his oblique strain tonight, and the Sixers came away with the 157-137 victory over the Bulls. He scored 35 points in the blowout victory, along with seven assists and six rebounds. After the game, he discussed how his body felt. “My knees haven’t been an issue for a long time. That’s past me,” Embiid said, via PHLY Sports (Twitter video link). “The oblique was very tricky, and it still is tricky. Really nothing you can do about it, gotta let it ride and hope it doesn’t get worse.”
- Knicks head coach Mike Brown says that key reserve Miles McBride has begun scrimmaging as he continues his rehab from sports hernia surgery, according to SNY’s Ian Begley (Twitter link). The defensive-minded guard is listed as out for Thursday’s game against the Hornets, but James L. Edwards III of The Athletic speculates (via Twitter) that Sunday’s game against the Thunder could be the day that he returns to action. McBride, who is having a career year, hasn’t played since January 27.
- Jayson Tatum‘s reintegration into the Celtics mid-season has gone as well as could be hoped, but there are still moments of frustration for the six-time All-Star, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps writes. “It’s tough. In the moment, you try not to think about it. You just want to be Jayson Tatum and feel like yourself again,” the NBA champion said. “I’m not Superman, so it’s obviously going to take some time.” Bontemps talks to Celtics coaches and NBA insiders to get their takes on how much he’ll be able to get back to form for this year’s playoff run.
Let’s go, Deuce!