How Paul George Injury Impacts OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, but the Paul George injury impacts more than just this game.

Mar 1, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder have rattled off 56 wins to date and sit as the Western Conference's No. 1 seed with a 12.5 game cushion. The Thunder have dominated on the hardwood but still have eyes set on the NBA Draft.

That is in large part thanks to the forgettable season that the Philadelphia 76ers are having. After the City of Brotherly Love Ballers were crowned as big offseason winners, the 76ers have been one of the league's most disappointing teams.

Currently, the 76ers sit with a 23-45 record, tied for the fifth worst record in the NBA. The 2024-25 campaign has been littered with injuries for the 76ers and the latest bad news comes via Paul George.

After already tabbing superstar big man Joel Embiid out for the season, Philadelphia has given the same designation to George.

Per ESPN, George received injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee on Monday which will sideline him for at least six weeks and a result in his season coming to a close.

This is big news for Oklahoma City, not only are the 76ers its next opponent but this has massive draft implications.

The Oklahoma City Thunder own the 76ers first-round pick top-six protected, making this Philadelphia race-to-the-bottom interesting.

If the season ended today, the 76ers pick has a 27.9% chance to land at No. 7, 9.2% chance to slot in at No. 8 and a 0.7% chance to finish at No. 9, alll of which result in the Thunder owning that draft pick. However, if the selection is lands at No. 1-6, the 76ers cling to it.

Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George received injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee on Monday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season, sources tell ESPN. George is expected to be out at least six weeks. pic.twitter.com/TKVvBROp5E

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2025

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