Paul George’s move to the Philadelphia 76ers made them an even stronger force in the Eastern Conference, but the 34-year-old wing has hit a small roadblock in the preseason. After getting bumped while playing defense, George hyperextended his knee and didn’t rejoin the game.

Considering George’s age and injury history, Sixers fans have plenty of reason to be worried, especially since he was meant to come in as a final piece that could help Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey battle for an NBA Finals berth. George is an elite two-way force when he’s strong and healthy and he is a key player for Philadelphia, who signed him to a $211 million contract.

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George has overcome significant injuries throughout his career, including a leg break that came out of a horror movie. He’s always come back, but it gets harder to heal when you get older, even with access to the best sports medicine on the planet.

‘PG-13’ has taken things in stride so far, though. He told a Sixers beat writer that he wasn’t too worried about the injury.

Still, the injury an ominous thing for the Sixers because their star center is also injury prone. As a basketball fan, I’m hoping he recovers quickly, because a more competitive Eastern Conference is always more entertaining. 

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