Paul George has wasted little time getting back into All-Star form.
In fact, George made NBA history in his first two games with the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the first player since the NBA-ABA merger (at least) to record consecutive outings of at least 30 points while playing less than 25 minutes in each game:
The @LAClippers Paul George is the only player since the ABA-NBA merger* to record consecutive 30-point games while playing less than 25 minutes in each game.
* He may be the only player in NBA history to do this, but I don't have enough data to know for sure.
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) November 17, 2019
George put up 33 points in his season debut against the New Orleans Pelicans, then torched the Atlanta Hawks for 37 points in barely over 20 minutes of action on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old missed the first 11 games as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, but the time off seems to have worked wonders for the former Fresno State product.
George struggled to shoot the ball at the end of the 2018-19 season, but he is already 9-of-16 from beyond the arc this year, and he drilled six three-pointers against the Pelicans.
This stunning efficiency is interesting especially considering that Houston Rockets guard James Harden needed 41 shots to score 49 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
Needless to say, the Clippers can rely on George to be the primary scoring option whenever Kawhi Leonard has the night off due to load management.
Aside from his proficient start on the offensive side of the ball, George had a pair of steals and a block against the Pelicans. He led the NBA in steals per game last season (2.2), and a partnership alongside Leonard and Patrick Beverley could make the Clippers one of the scariest defensive teams in the league.
If his first two showings are any indication, George is out to prove that he is very much in the MVP conversation.
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