George back for Clippers, on minutes restriction
After missing three months with an elbow injury, LA Clippers All-Star guard Paul George started against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
George is on a minutes restriction, coach Ty Lue said before the game.
George, who hadn’t played since Dec. 22, completed rehab on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, was upgraded to questionable on Monday and passed the final hurdles to make his return at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
George ramped up for his return in recent days, participating in 5-on-5 practices on Sunday and Monday.
George, 31, returned with the Clippers holding a 36-39 record, firmly in the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff chase. The Clippers are hopeful that they’ll get guard Norman Powell back ahead of the playoffs in mid-April, although there’s less optimism about a Kawhi Leonard return amid his ACL rehab.
George averaged 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2 steals in 26 games this season entering Tuesday night.