76ers Navigating Paul George’s Absence - and Staying in the Hunt
CAMDEN, N.J. - The Philadelphia 76ers are four games into life without Paul George, and so far, they’re holding their own. With the All-Star forward serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the Sixers have gone 3-1, leaning on a deep roster and a next-man-up mentality to keep the momentum rolling.
Replacing a player like George is no small task. His defensive versatility, elite three-point shooting, and ability to slide seamlessly into a complementary scoring role make him one of the league’s most valuable two-way wings. On a team built around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, George has fit in as a high-level third option - the kind of player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands constantly to make an impact, but can still take over stretches when needed.
That absence has forced the Sixers to get creative, and so far, it’s working. The team’s depth - something that’s quietly been a strength all season - is showing up in a big way.
Role players are stepping into bigger minutes, and the ball is moving with purpose. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective.
Team president Daryl Morey spoke Friday about George’s situation, expressing both disappointment and confidence in the veteran forward.
“I think no one’s more disappointed than Paul,” Morey said. “He’s talked to his teammates, front office, ownership.
He wants to be out there fighting more than anybody - and he will be. He’s going to come back and have a strong 10 games and the playoffs.”
Morey didn’t shy away from how important George is to the Sixers’ overall game plan.
“When he’s out there, he’s playing tremendous,” Morey continued. “Really critical to our defense and contributing to shooting. He was a big part of how much shooting we had, and obviously playing 30-to-40 minutes - really important part of the team.”
George is set to return on March 25, giving him a 10-game runway to get back into rhythm before the postseason begins. That stretch will be crucial - not just for George to find his legs again, but for the Sixers to reestablish their full identity with him back in the mix.
The Eastern Conference playoff race is tight, and every game matters. But if the Sixers can continue to tread water - or better yet, thrive - while George serves out his suspension, they’ll be in a strong position to hit the ground running once he returns.
And if George can pick up where he left off? Philadelphia’s ceiling gets a whole lot higher.