Paul George heard about it as he returned to Los Angeles Wednesday night time for the primary time since leaving the Clippers final summer time for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Fans booed George when he was launched on the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new enviornment that was nowhere close to full. They made themselves felt each time he touched the ball within the opening minutes, and he responded by launching back-to-back 3-pointers that pulled the Sixers right into a tie.
“Boo him tonight and love him later,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned earlier than the sport.
George was taking part in simply his second sport of the season after a left knee harm stored him out. He scored 15 factors in 32 minutes of the Sixers’ 118-116 loss in Phoenix on Monday.
“He simply gave us a little bit extra versatility on protection,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse mentioned beforehand. “He’s 6-9 and might cowl extra stuff. He gave us a little bit dimension. He positively set us up on the offensive finish.”
Late within the first quarter, the Clippers performed a video tribute to George on the enormous scoreboard above the court docket. He nodded to acknowledge the well mannered applause.
“He’s a particular expertise,” Lue mentioned. “He noticed all the pieces, he noticed each protection.”
In 5 seasons with the Clippers, the native of close by Palmdale helped them attain their first-ever Western Conference Finals look, however they have been eradicated within the first spherical of the playoffs the previous two years.
George waived his participant possibility in his $48 million contract with the Clippers to turn into a free agent and was courted in Philly to play with Joel Embiid. He has but to play this season due to a knee harm and is now serving a three-game suspension for shoving a Philadelphia sports activities columnist.
The Clippers are 3-4 to start out the season, hardly the type of begin they wish to appeal to followers to their new constructing.
Another fan held up an indication that learn, “Paul G, please come again.” The Clippers are with out Kahwi Leonard, who has but to play this season whereas nursing his surgically repaired proper knee — once more. In addition to George, additionally they misplaced Russell Westbrook from their Big Four which is now all the way down to Leonard and James Harden.
Associated Press reporting.
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