76ers star undergoes knee surgery after workout injury

Sixers forward Paul George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Monday to treat an injury suffered during a recent workout, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.

George will now begin a rehab program and be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp, Charania adds. The Sixers issued a statement on George’s surgery, posted by PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck (X link).

Sources informed Neubeck that the surgery was an “arthroscopic cleanup” that did not involve major ligaments (X link).

It’s another injury setback for George and the franchise. George was the Sixers’ front office’s prized signing last summer, as he inked a four-year max deal. George was supposed to be the missing link in the franchise’s championship puzzle, but Philadelphia didn’t even make the playoffs after an injury-riddled season.

Knee and groin injuries limited George’s first season in Philadelphia to 41 games. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from long range. He had averaged at least 21.9 points in his previous nine seasons, including five full seasons with the Clippers.

George played 74 regular-season games in his last season with the Clippers, but he dealt with a laundry list of ailments during his time in Los Angeles. During his first four years with the Clippers, he never appeared in more than 56 games.

Holdover Justin Edwards and recent free agent acquisition Trendon Watford could play key early-season roles at power forward if George isn’t fully healthy by the season opener.