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76ers’ Paul George provides injury update ahead of 2025-26 season

Joe Mayo

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76ers’ Paul George provides injury update ahead of 2025-26 season image

Plagued by injuries to their star players, the Philadelphia 76ers disappointed in the 2024-25 campaign.

The Sixers signed Paul George to a four-year, $211.6 million deal last offseason and had high expectations going into the season. However, the star forward played just 41 regular-season games, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain also missing significant time. 

The Eastern Conference is wide open this season, and a healthy Philadelphia team has the pieces to make significant noise. Still, injuries remain a concern. George and Embiid are both recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and McCain is expected to miss at least four weeks due to a UCL tear in his right thumb. 

MORE: Quentin Grimes still weighing options amid 76ers contract stalemate

Paul George ‘hopeful’ ahead of 2025-26 season 

George recently shared an update on his status ahead of Opening Night, stating that he’s hopeful he’ll return to full strength in the near future, according to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. 

“I think I’m getting better [health-wise]...this next couple of weeks is very important leading into the start of the season, Opening Night…I do think I will be at a good place hopefully earlier than later,” he said. 

George added that he could “never get over the hump” regarding his injury concerns last season, and his availability will be crucial for a Sixers squad looking to rebound from the team’s worst season since 2015-16. 

The 35-year-old averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals across 32.5 minutes per game last season. He shot just 43 percent from the field following the most efficient shooting season of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023-24. 

Entering his 16th season in the league, George will serve as a veteran leader for the 76ers while looking to bounce back from his injury-riddled 2024-25 season. 

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Joe Mayo

Joe Mayo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024. He’s also a contributor at RotoWire. While Joe primarily writes about the NBA, he also covers the WNBA and MLB.