Ty Lue spoke with the media on Friday, ahead of the Clippers playoff start. The Clippers will open playoff play with a difficult matchup against the Phoenix Suns. However, the Clippers may not be at full strength during the series with the Suns. Clippers star forward Paul George has been out since March, dealing with an injury. George missing the series against the Suns will put the Clippers in a massive hole. But Lue isn’t worried about rushing George back into the lineup.
“We’re definitely not gonna do anything to hurt PG even if he does try to come back. If he’s not right, then we’re not gonna let him injure himself and make it worse than what it really is.” It has recently been reported that George wouldn’t be available for the series against the Suns. Now it looks like Lue is confirming that report without actually confirming it. The loss will be huge in regards to how the Clippers will defend Phoenix star Kevin Durant. Without George, the Clippers will need to look to Kawhi Leonard for a great defensive performance.
Ty Lue Will Not Rush Paul George Back
A lot of teams have dealt with the injury bug. Recently the New Orleans Pelicans dealt with a big injury in Zion Williamson. Williamson’s absence from the team was a factor in the team missing the playoffs. Not only will the Clippers be dealing with injuries. But so will the Phoenix Suns. Suns guard Chris Paul isn’t 100%, as well as Durant. However, neither team will be looking to blame injuries on their playoff success.
Lue knows just how important George is to the Clippers, But that doesn’t mean rushing back his star player to further damage him physically. George’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. However, that is how it goes sometimes. Injuries are unexpected and a part of the game. Ty Lue and the Clippers are just unfortunate victims of the circumstances. Without George, do the Clippers stand a chance against the Suns? Please give us your thoughts on the state of the Clippers in the comment section. For the latest NBA Playoff news, keep it right here with HNHH.