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Shams Charania, ESPN
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is expected to make his season debut Monday against the Phoenix Suns, barring any setbacks, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
George, a nine-time NBA All-Star, suffered a bone bruise in his left knee on Oct. 14 in Atlanta, when his knee buckled on a defensive play in the second quarter. Tests showed no structural damage.
George, 34, participated in a five-on-five scrimmage Friday and went through practice Sunday in Phoenix.
The 76ers start a three-game West Coast road trip Monday night 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 this past summer.
The 76ers’ road trip concludes Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Philadelphia, which has also been without former league MVP Joel Embiid, is 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 Sunday night in Philadelphia, a league spokesman said. Embiid expressed his displeasure and shoved the columnist in front of team staff and players.