Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is expected to make his season debut Monday at the Phoenix Suns, barring any setbacks, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
George, a nine-time NBA All-Star, has been out since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on Oct. 14, when his knee buckled on a defensive play in the second quarter of a preseason game at the Atlanta Hawks. Tests showed no structural damage.
George, 34, participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage Friday and went through practice Sunday in Phoenix. The team officially listed him as questionable for Monday.
The 76ers start a three-game Western swing in Phoenix before visiting the Clippers on Wednesday in George’s return to Los Angeles, where he played for five seasons before signing a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia as a free agent over the summer.
Philadelphia’s trip concludes Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 76ers, who also have been without former league MVP Joel Embiid as he manages a left knee injury, are 1-4 on the season. Embiid will remain sidelined Monday, according to the team.
The NBA is investigating a physical altercation between Embiid and a local columnist in the postgame locker room Saturday night in Philadelphia, a league spokesman said. Embiid expressed his displeasure and shoved the columnist in front of team staff and players.