3 observations after George misses game-tying jumper try in debut, Sixers fall to Suns

3 observations after George misses game-tying jumper try in debut, Sixers fall to Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers were on the verge on an uplifting, thrilling win Monday night.

They couldn’t quite snag it, instead falling to 1-5 this season with a 118-116 loss to the Suns in Paul George’s Sixers debut. Phoenix moved to 6-1.

After Kevin Durant (35 points on 14-for-20 shooting) blew past Guerschon Yabusele and scored a go-ahead layup, George got a switch the Sixers liked against Grayson Allen. He narrowly missed a long two-pointer that would’ve tied the game with approximately three seconds left.

In his return from a left knee bone bruise, George played 32 minutes and posted 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting, five rebounds and four assists.

Tyrese Maxey had 32 points on 12-for-22 shooting.

Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) was the only player out for the Sixers. The team’s 1-5 start is its worst through six games since the 2016-2017 season.

Next up is a trip to Los Angeles for meetings with the Clippers on Wednesday night and the Lakers on Friday.

Here are observations on the Sixers’ defeat in Phoenix:

George‘s debut

George had to wait a while for his first Sixers hoop.

He tried a baseline jumper on the Sixers’ opening play and came up well short. On the final possession of the first quarter, George missed a runner attempt over Suns rookie Ryan Dunn and dropped to 0 for 5 from the field.

A catch-and-shoot, quick-release corner three about 15 seconds into the second quarter broke the ice.

George played shorter stints than usual Monday in his first game action since Oct. 14. Foul trouble also didn’t help in the first half as he worked to gain personal rhythm and build chemistry with his new teammates. George picked up his third foul at the 11:17 mark of the second quarter and subbed out.

He provided a highlight play late in the second period, spinning to the rim and then finishing an off-balance, and-one layup through heavy traffic.

George didn’t have a good passing night statistically (four assists, seven turnovers) and was expectedly rusty at times, but he showed his ability…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-observations-george-misses-game-061403852.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-11-05 06:14:00

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