Shams Charania Provides Injury Update On Paul George At The Start Of The 2025-26 Season
Oct 17, 2025
The last time Paul George played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the spring season hadn’t reached full bloom, and Paige Bueckers was still in college. March 4 seems like such a long time ago, and Sixers fans are hoping that their big-time acquisition last season will return to the court soon.
Though the Philly fanbase would be delighted to have a definite timetable for PG’s comeback, it appears they won’t be getting that just yet. Appearing this week on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” insider Shams Charania gave a not-so-exciting update on George’s status.
“I’ve been talking to people in Paul George’s camp. I’m told that it is not expected he will be suiting up for opening night next Wednesday in Boston,” Charania reported.
For what it’s worth, Charania gave Sixers supporters some reason to be optimistic when it comes to George. According to the ESPN reporter: “I am told, though, that he is making significant progress after having offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, and a return should be shortly into the regular season.”
Charania added that George has some more “check marks” to hit in order to clear his rehab process. At the same time, both George and the Sixers organization are wary of rushing him back onto the court, as they do not want a repeat of the injury-riddled season that he had in 2024–25.
George, who played just 41 games in the previous campaign, offered plenty of promise as Joel Embiid’s newest running mate when he came to Philadelphia last year. However, the nine-time All-Star ended up having his worst scoring season in a decade, putting up just 16.2 points per game in his debut campaign with the Sixers.
His early exit from the season compounded the troubles faced by Philadelphia, which also had to deal with injuries suffered by Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain.
Now, with so many variables at play in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers can seize the opportunity to sneak back into the top of the standings. That, of course, will require their key players to stay healthy. Perhaps, sooner or later, Charania’s next update on George’s condition will be more definitive than “significant progress.”
