Paul George isn’t just back on the court-he’s feeling free, loose, and ready to fly. After logging his most consecutive minutes of the season in a gritty battle against the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers star offered a reassuring update on his health: the back tightness he felt wasn’t anything to lose sleep over.
“That was the most minutes I've played consecutively,” George said postgame. “It’s good.
It’s nothing to be concerned with. I felt good.
I asked for more minutes out there, just how the game was going, how my body was feeling.”
That last part? That’s the key.
George wasn’t just surviving the extended run-he was embracing it. He even dropped a metaphor to sum it up: “I think I'm the bird, leaving the nest, getting to fly and flap my wings a little bit more.”
That’s the kind of mindset Philly fans want to hear from one of their stars. After a cautious start to the season, seeing George ask for more minutes-and feel good doing it-is a clear sign he’s turning a corner physically and mentally.
But this wasn’t just about George. Sunday’s game marked the first time this season that the Sixers’ big three-Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey-shared the floor together. That’s the trio Philly is banking on to make a serious run in the East, and while the result didn’t go their way, there were some encouraging signs.
Maxey, in particular, continues to play like a man possessed. The 24-year-old guard poured in 44 points, dished out 9 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds in a staggering 52 minutes of action. He’s been the engine for this team while Embiid and George manage their early-season workloads, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Still, even Maxey’s monster night wasn’t enough to overcome Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, who exploded for 41 points, 14 boards, and 7 assists to push the Hawks past the Sixers in a tightly contested matchup.
The loss stings, no doubt, but the bigger picture here is about health and chemistry. George looked comfortable, confident, and ready to ramp things up.
Embiid is getting his legs under him. And Maxey is playing like he belongs in the All-Star conversation.
For a team with championship aspirations, the road to cohesion is never smooth-but the signs are there. George’s “bird leaving the nest” analogy might sound playful, but it speaks volumes.
He’s feeling healthy. He’s trusting his body.
And he’s ready to spread his wings in a Sixers uniform.
Philadelphia will need that version of Paul George as the season unfolds. The Eastern Conference is no joke, and if the Sixers want to climb the standings, their stars have to click-and stay on the floor.
So, while Sunday’s final score didn’t go their way, the Sixers got something just as important: a confident, healthy Paul George, ready to take flight.