LA Clippers’ Paul George assessments constructive for COVID-19, to overlook play-in sport vs. New Orleans Pelicans

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — LA Clippers star Paul George has entered well being and security protocols after testing constructive for COVID-19 and can miss Friday evening’s play-in sport in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank mentioned.

It is a important blow to the Clippers, who lose their star guard — once more — as they attempt to clinch the No. eight seed for the Western Convention playoffs within the elimination sport vs. the Pelicans. The winner advances to a first-round matchup in opposition to the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.

Frank mentioned George didn’t really feel effectively on Thursday and his check outcomes got here again constructive Friday morning.

“That is one other problem for our group,” Frank mentioned at Friday’s staff shootaround. “The group has handled challenges all 12 months. We have had guys out and in of the lineup and handled overcoming massive deficits and but this group has all the time responded. A really resilient group. Now we have quite a lot of religion and a proficient and deep roster and have an incredible coach in Ty Lue.”

When requested if different Clippers gamers needed to check and if George shall be out for a sure time frame, Frank mentioned the staff is following the NBA’s lead in the case of well being and security protocols.

“It is a problem nevertheless it has simply been a collection of challenges and could also be becoming that it is a state of affairs the place all these reps and experiences that the group has had, they’ve been in these moments many many occasions earlier than this 12 months.”

George missed 51 video games earlier this season. He was out for 3 months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow. He returned for 5 common season video games, and the Clippers have gained six of their final seven video games with a wholesome George within the lineup.

He averaged 24.three factors, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season. He had 34 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists within the staff’s 109-104 loss at Minnesota within the play-in sport for the seventh spot on Tuesday.

The Clippers will as soon as once more be with out each of their stars. Kawhi Leonard stays out as he rehabs a torn ACL and has not performed a single minute this season. Frank mentioned there’s nonetheless no timetable for return for Leonard.