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PLAYA VISTA — The Los Angeles Clippers practiced on Saturday afternoon, and star forward Paul George appears to be progressing toward a return this season.
Ahead of Saturday's practice, George was seen putting up right-handed jumpers for the first time since suffering his injury:
Paul George doing some shooting drills here at Clippers practice.
That jumper and right elbow looks good 👀 pic.twitter.com/SacH1cQmvo
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 5, 2022
More Paul George shooting at practice today. pic.twitter.com/Gi25oaXzdQ
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) March 5, 2022
On Sunday evening, just ahead of the Clippers' matchup against the New York Knicks, head coach Tyronn Lue said George did not participate in any of Saturday's practice. When asked if he had an estimation as to when George could resume practicing with the team in the coming days, Lue paused to give it some thought.
“Um … I don’t know,” Lue said. “I just know that he’s feeling better. All of our guys with Norman, Kawhi, PG, every day just coming in, rehabbing, conditioning, working on themselves, trying to get better. We see that every single day. There’s not a timetable where he can come back, but just seeing those guys putting in the work every single day, it’s positive to see.”
Ty Lue saying, “he's feeling better,” has sort of become his inside joke with Clippers media members. When told that he'll need a “Better Meter” to explain just how much better George is doing, Lue laughed in agreement.
“Yeah, I know. I mean, he was shooting with his right hand, so a lot better I guess.”
Me: “Paul George do anything with you guys practice?”
Ty Lue: “No sir.”
Me: “Any estimation on when he could?”
Lue: “I don’t know. I just know he’s feeling better.”
Me: “We’re gonna need a ‘Better’ meter soon.”
Lue: “He was shooting with his right hand, so a lot better.” pic.twitter.com/36YGKoikqY
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 7, 2022
Paul George has been out since Christmas Day after suffering a torn right UCL in his right eblow. The star initially suffered the injury during a Dec. 6 matchup between the Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers. George was able to finish the game, but would miss the next five games across 13 days to rest the sore elbow.
George returned to action against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 20, but would only play two games before being out.
The team conducted an MRI on George's elbow on Christmas Eve, and it revealed that he had suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. On Feb. 24, George was scheduled to undergo an MRI and reevaluation.
Coach Ty Lue said George was feeling better, and this past week, George resumed shooting with his right hand.
On Feb. 5, Paul George was seen taking left-handed jumpers before Clippers practice, so a month later, he has progressed to right-handed jumpers:
Paul George is here taking left handed jumpers before Clippers practice. pic.twitter.com/xb71hNqPUt
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 5, 2022
Whenever George does return, he'll be joining a team that came out of the All-Star break winning their first four games before an ugly loss to the Knicks, including two wins against the crosstown rival Los Angeles Lakers. At 34-32, the Clippers currently sit in the eighth seed in the Western Conference standings, with a few spots sill up for grabs.
George has played just 26 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals on 42.1 percent shooting from the field.
