Sixers’ Paul George hyperextends knee vs. Grizzlies

On By Littum

Paul George limped off early in the second half after Desmond Bane accidentally landed on his foot as both went for a rebound.

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Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George will have further tests done on his left knee on Thursday after hyperextending it in Wednesday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

According to team officials, George left the team’s 117-111 loss early in the second half with his injury. It was the same knee that George hyperextended during the preseason, forcing him to miss the first five games of the regular season.

George played 17 minutes against Memphis and finished with two points (1-for-6 shooting), four rebounds, two assists and one steal. This season, he is averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

Thursday was the first time that Philadelphia’s key players – George, center Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey – started. Until Tuesday, injuries and league suspensions had kept the trio from appearing on the floor together.

Asked if he could rule out structural damage to George’s knee, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said, “I think so.”

“I think they said it looked like the last time, which was a bone mark, I think,” said the nurse. “He was actually pretty close to getting back in the game, but then it kind of stiffened up as he got out a little bit more, so I decided not to and now we’ve got to look at it, so make sure.”

Maxey has been out since Nov. 8 with a right hamstring injury, while Embiid missed the team’s first nine games with a bone bruise.

The 76ers host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.