The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for their season opener against the Boston Celtics on October 22, 2025, but one of their biggest names will not be on the floor. Paul George, who joined the Sixers in July 2024, continues to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The veteran forward underwent the procedure in July, and while his progress has been promising, he is not yet cleared for game action.
According to reports from ESPN insider Shams Charania, George is “making significant progress” in his rehabilitation but has not yet met all the performance benchmarks necessary to return to regular season play. The expectation around the team is that his debut will come shortly after the start of the season once the medical staff is fully confident in his readiness.
A Reminder of the Long Battle with Injuries
George’s absence is not unexpected but still disappointing for a Philadelphia team that invested heavily in his experience and versatility. His talent is unquestioned. He is a smooth scorer, a strong defender, and one of the smartest two-way wings in the NBA. Yet his career has also been shadowed by injury setbacks.
In five of the last six seasons, George has played fewer than 60 games. During the 2024–25 campaign, his first in Philadelphia, he appeared in only 41 games. His scoring average dropped to 16.2 points per game, his lowest since 2015 when he was returning from a serious leg injury. Alongside his recurring knee problems, he also battled minor issues involving his groin and finger throughout the year.
For a player whose game depends on rhythm, fluid movement, and sharp footwork, these interruptions take a toll. Still, George’s determination to fight through adversity has defined his career just as much as his talent. Each setback has been met with focus and professionalism, qualities that continue to earn him respect throughout the league.
Progress and Patience
Encouragingly, the latest updates from the 76ers’ training camp paint a picture of progress. On October 16, George was a full participant in team practice for the first time since the preseason began. He took part in live five-on-five drills and showed flashes of his old self, cutting and shooting with rhythm.
However, head coach Nick Nurse made it clear that while this was a positive step, it does not mean George is ready for live NBA action. Nurse explained that they are monitoring his recovery closely and prefer to take a cautious approach. The organization’s priority is not the opening game but the long journey that follows. They want George healthy and consistent by the time the season’s intensity peaks in spring, not just available for October.
This careful pacing reflects the Sixers’ evolving strategy toward player health. After years of seeing injuries derail playoff hopes, the team now places long-term preservation above short-term momentum.
The Cost of Waiting
The Sixers will certainly feel George’s absence when they take the court against Boston. His defensive length and scoring instincts make him one of the team’s most vital assets. Without him, Philadelphia’s rotation becomes thinner on the wing, putting more responsibility on Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris to carry the offensive load.
Still, this moment also offers opportunity. New additions and role players will have the chance to prove themselves. Players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nicolas Batum will see extended minutes, and Maxey’s leadership will once again be tested as he becomes the primary scoring option beside Joel Embiid.
For George, watching from the sidelines will not be easy. Competitive by nature, he has always prided himself on being a player who leads by example. Yet the Sixers believe that restraint now will bring rewards later.
The Bigger Picture
This season represents a crucial chapter in both Paul George’s career and the 76ers’ larger vision. The front office brought him in to create a formidable trio with Embiid and Maxey, capable of matching any team in the East. But the key to that success lies in timing. Philadelphia is not built for a sprint but for a marathon.
George’s recovery, though slow, is moving forward. Medical reports suggest that his knee is responding well to treatment and strengthening routines. He is expected to return early in the regular season, possibly within the first few weeks, depending on how his body responds to increased workload.
The Sixers have made it clear that there is no specific timetable. They will not risk aggravating the injury or jeopardizing his long-term health for the sake of a quick return. It is a calculated decision rooted in experience and a deep understanding of what is at stake.
The Human Side of Recovery
For fans, injuries often feel like statistics weeks missed, games lost, numbers on a report. But for the players, recovery is a daily test of patience and faith. For George, it means long hours of rehabilitation, repetitive movements, and mental challenges that test his resolve.
He has been here before. Every step back has been followed by a return, each time proving that resilience can be just as defining as talent. The hope in Philadelphia is that this comeback, too, will mark another strong chapter in his story.
What Comes Next
The Sixers’ early season schedule will be a test without George, but it will also be a chance to strengthen the team’s chemistry. Joel Embiid remains the centerpiece, but how the group performs in George’s absence will shape their rhythm for the months ahead.
Once George returns, his impact could be immediate. His ability to space the floor, guard multiple positions, and create shots in isolation fits perfectly alongside Embiid’s inside dominance and Maxey’s perimeter speed. For Philadelphia, his return will not just add talent but unlock a new level of balance and versatility.
Conclusion
Paul George will not be on the floor when the 76ers open their season against the Boston Celtics, but his story this year is only beginning. His recovery from knee surgery is progressing, his work ethic remains strong, and his teammates are ready to hold the line until he returns.
For Philadelphia, patience has become a philosophy. The team understands that championships are built through endurance, not urgency. When George does step back onto the court, the Sixers will gain not just a scorer but a steady veteran presence who has learned that strength often begins with waiting.
The anticipation of his comeback is not about one night in October but about the long season ahead a season that may yet define both Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers.
