NBA Exec Calls 76ers 'Clippers East' amid Paul George, Embiid, Maxey Injury Concerns

Harry How/ A difficult trend seems to have followed Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers to his new team.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that George's lack of availability since joining the Sixers, combined with other star players suffering similar plight, has concerned others around the league and that the team is turning into "Clippers East."

"The Sixers got Paul George and have become the Clippers East for now," a West executive told Windhorst. "They're going to have to hang on during the regular season and just hope to get into the playoffs with their top two guys healthy and try for lightning in a bottle. It was always like that with PG and Kawhi [Leonard]."

George has suited up in just two games in 2024-25, averaging 16.5 points, six rebounds and three assists in those contests. Star center Joel Embiid has yet to play for Philadelphia this season while guard Tyrese Maxey is now expected to "miss weeks" with a right hamstring injury, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

While Embiid is expected to return for Tuesday's NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks, the overall lack of availability from the team's stars has contributed to a disappointing 1-6 start to the season. While the roster will look very strong when all three hit the court together, George's five-year tenure with the Clippers proves that may not happen too often.

George suited up in 74 games in 2023-24 but never exceeded 56 games in the four previous seasons. Clipper star forward Kawhi Leonard never suited up in more than 57 games during that period as well, including missing the entire 2021-22 season.

Los Angeles only reached the Conference Finals once during this period and were consistently met with difficult first-round matchups due to finishing with a middle seed. The 76ers could be doomed to a similar fate and could struggle to overtake teams like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.