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PLAYA VISTA – For the first time since the NBA All-Star break, the LA Clippers had consecutive days off to rest, recover, and, most importantly, to practice. In between those days was a workout for Clippers star Paul George, and head coach Tyronn Lue liked what he saw.
George, who has been out since Christmas Day, participated in his first first four-on-four workout with members of the Clippers coaching staff on Saturday. According to Lue, the star forward looked good in the minimal contact workout.
“He’s feeling better,” Tyronn Lue said of the workout. “That's part of his rehab, having minimal contact with the coaches and trying to get his wind and just kind of see how he feels. To get him on the court for the first time was really good to see, got to continue to keep working and see how he is feeling going forward.”
“That’s part of his rehab. Having minimal contact with the coaches, trying to get his wind and see how he feels. To get him on the court for the first time was really good to see. Gotta continue to keep working.”
Ty Lue on Paul George playing 4-on-4 for the first time yesterday. pic.twitter.com/w2BVoN44Jz
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 21, 2022
The only reason news of Paul George playing four-on-four came out is because a Clippers assistant coach posted clips of George working out with coaches on Sunday afternoon.
Looks like Paul George is indeed participated in some 5-on-4 or 4-on-4 action at the Clippers facility.
(H/T @clampcity) pic.twitter.com/HcRRdOuWIx
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 21, 2022
George completed a workout on March 5th and went through a shooting drill in front of media members, signaling a ramping up for the Clippers star.
Paul George hasn't participated in any five-on-five action with the team yet, nor has Norman Powell, who is recovering from a fracture in his left foot. The duo is believed to be nearing returns, but neither are particularly close at this time.
The next steps for George's recovery involve taking contact, playing five-on-five, and getting his conditioning up to speed.
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It has been previously reported that Tyronn Lue and the Clippers would not be comfortable bringing their injured players back if they couldn't first practice and participate in the regular season. On Monday, Lue debunked that, but did say player safety is obviously the number one priority.
“Hell yeah I keep it open,” Lue responded when asked about keeping the door open for returns late in the season or even the postseason. “If that is the right move [for that team and player]. First of all, you got to protect the player. If it is the right thing for the player not to play for the rest of the season, I am pretty sure no organization is saying, ‘oh you are our best player, we don’t want you to play, just sit out.' If guys are able to do it, they are going to do it. But the most important part is to make sure the players are taken care of and making sure they are ready to go and fully healthy.”
Ty Lue says he’ll keep the door open on Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and/or Norman Powell returning if it’s less than a week until the playoffs. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/iebGp2sRcp
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 21, 2022
If it was up to Tyronn Lue, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and/or Norman Powell would all have to practice and play in at least one regular season game. As the season dwindles down and just three weeks left, Lue knows that's not entirely possible.
“If it were up to me, I would say yes [they would need to practice and play in a game] because that is pretty tough — to hit the playoffs going at 100, from zero—to—100, that is pretty tough. But if the medical guys say they are cleared and they are able to do that, that is totally up to them.”
Will Norman Powell, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard have to play in reg. season before a playoff game?
Ty Lue: “I wouldn’t say that. I’d it was up to me, I’d say yes. To hit the playoffs from 0-100, that’s tough, but if the medical guys say they’re cleared, then that’s up to them.” pic.twitter.com/0cHVWP3MvU
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 21, 2022
With only nine games left in the season, time is certainly running out for the Clippers to get their stars back. In the meantime, the team will continue to rely on Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris as the offensive centerpieces.
