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Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on July 14 following an injury during an offseason workout, as confirmed by both the team and ESPN’s Shams Charania. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jonathan Glashow at NYU Langone and, according to team medical reports, did not involve any major ligament damage.
George has already begun rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated ahead of training camp. Whether he’ll be ready for the season opener remains unclear, and his recovery will be monitored closely over the coming weeks.
This marks yet another chapter in a troubling trend for George, who has played fewer than 60 games in five of the last six seasons. With Joel Embiid also coming off his own knee surgery, the Sixers enter training camp with two of their three stars working their way back from injuries.
Disrupted Chemistry for Embiid, Maxey, and George
Last season, the Sixers’ core trio of George, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey logged only 15 games together. That limited exposure stalled any real chance to develop chemistry under head coach Nick Nurse. The hope heading into this year was a fresh start with all three healthy—George’s setback complicates that plan.
Team cohesion during training camp was considered vital for implementing Nurse’s system and building trust on the court. George’s absence delays those efforts, and given Embiid’s own rehab timeline, Philadelphia’s foundation remains shaky heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
Waiver Rumors Debunked as Fake News Circulates
Despite social media chatter claiming Paul George had been waived by the Sixers, the reports were false. The rumors were traced back to a parody account, NBA Centel, and have been thoroughly debunked.
George is still under contract and remains a central part of Philadelphia’s plans. Last summer, he signed a four-year, $212 million deal with the Sixers and is entering the second year of that contract. There is no indication the team plans to cut ties.
George Focused on Recovery and Redemption
George missed the final stretch of last season after receiving injections in his knee and adductor in March. He also put his popular podcast, Podcast P, on hold to prioritize his health and focus on the upcoming season.
Speaking candidly on a past episode, George acknowledged his struggles:
“I haven’t been the healthiest, so it’s just been putting a ton of work towards getting my body as healthy as possible… trying to get this team together.”
Now entering Year 2 of his max contract, George is set to earn $51.7 million this season, with escalating figures through a player option in 2027–28. After a rocky debut year and ongoing health concerns, the pressure is mounting—for George to bounce back, and for the Sixers to finally make good on their superstar trio experiment.
Outlook: Cautious Optimism, Lingering Doubts
The Sixers’ title aspirations remain intact—on paper. George is still an elite two-way player when healthy, and Maxey’s rise offers hope. But with two of their biggest names entering camp less than 100%, skepticism is warranted.
If the Sixers are to avoid another lost season, it begins with getting their stars back on the court—and keeping them there.
