NBA Draft

How Paul George Injury News Impacts 2025 NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers have added another star to the injury report without a chance of a return this season.

Rylan Stiles

Mar 1, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) catches a ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) catches a ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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The Philadelphia 76ers were crowned as the NBA offseason's biggest winners over this past summer. Adding Paul George to the Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey duo felt like a team that could compete in the Eastern Conference.

However, things have gone far from smooth for the City of Brotherly Love Ballers. The 76ers have been off the rails for the entire 2024-25 season and will not be able to get the car back on the road before the season mercifully comes to an end for the team.

The 76ers have already shut down superstar big man Joel Embiid to help his body heal after a season that has been riddled with injuries from the start. Philadelphia is hoping –– and eager for –– a healthy season from Embiid in 2025-26 and to put this year behind them.

Now, Philadelphia has another star shut down for the remainder of the year as Paul George hits the shelf for good as ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday following injections to his abductor and knee.

The hope remains that the 34-year-old has a bounce back season next year ago healing from the injuries he has suffered throughout the year to dip his production to an all-time low.

This move will also continue the losing trend for the 76ers who sit with the fifth worst record in the sport at 23-45.

Their record has major draft implications as the 76ers owe a top-six protected first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. If this pick stays at No. 1-6, the 76ers keep it and will then owe Oklahoma City a top-four protected first round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

If the 76ers can add a top talent in the loaded 2025 NBA Draft class to Maxey, Embiid, George and Jared McCain, things can turnaround quickly.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is lead beat writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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