Sixers coach: Paul George's knee 'checked out OK'

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George's worrisome left knee "checked out OK" on Tuesday, coach Nick Nurse said.

Nurse added that the veteran forward "is OK for now" but is still awaiting further imaging results.

George was injured during the second quarter of the 76ers' 104-89 preseason victory over the host Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

He was on defense, matching up with Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson, when he hyperextended his left knee. He subbed out with 8:09 remaining in the first half and never returned to the game, finishing with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field in 12 minutes of action.

George, 34, made one of the biggest splashes in free agency this past summer when he signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers after spending the previous five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In 74 games (all starts) last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He also was named an All-Star for the ninth time in his career.

George sports career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals, appearing in 867 games (819 starts) for the Indiana Pacers (2010-11 to 2016-17), Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-18 to 2018-19) and the Clippers (2019-20 to 2023-24).

Philadelphia has two more preseason contests before opening the regular season against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23.

--Field Level Media/Reuters