Paul George Hyperextends Left Knee Again as Sixers Succumb to 12th Loss of the Season

Things are going from bad to worse for the Philadelphia 76ers. Their 12th loss of the 2024/25 season was tough enough to swallow, but the real gut punch came with Paul George’s latest setback. The star forward hyperextended his left knee—again—the second time in just a month. Now, the Sixers face the grim prospect of losing George to another extended injury layoff, a blow their already struggling season could hardly afford.

Their clash against the Memphis Grizzlies was supposed to be a fresh start, as it was the first time that Philly’s big three – Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George – shared the court. Paul George missed the first seven games of the season after he suffered a left knee bone bruise during the preseason. Maxey was sidelined due to a strained hamstring since 7th November. As for Embiid, the 2023 MVP has played just three games this season, with the Sixers medical staff taking a cautious approach with his knee. As for Embiid, the 2023 MVP has played just three games this season, with the Sixers medical staff taking a cautious approach with his knee.  

Already dealing with the worst record in the NBA, Philadelphia entered their clash against the Grizzlies with just two wins from their first 13 games. But hope was in the air—Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey were all in the starting lineup, and fans believed this could be the spark for a much-needed turnaround. That hope, however, was painfully short-lived. Less than 25 minutes into the game, disaster struck as George hyperextended his knee while diving for a loose ball early in the third quarter. The star forward was ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving Sixers fans stunned. What started as an opportunity for a statement victory quickly unraveled into another nightmare. 

Despite battling hard, the Sixers fell to the Grizzlies 117-111, extending their miserable start to the season. With this loss, Philly’s record dropped to a shocking 2-12, making them the worst team in the league—a title no one expected for a squad once considered Eastern Conference contenders. Alarmingly, their record now lags behind even teams like the Wizards, Trail Blazers, Raptors, and Jazz, who are openly rebuilding. Something feels off with the revamped Sixers roster, and much of the scrutiny has landed squarely on Joel Embiid. The 2023 NBA MVP doesn’t look like his dominant self, sparking concerns about his fitness. In fact, some former players have even gone as far as suggesting that the Sixers should shut Embiid down for the rest of the season. 

Speaking on Run It Back, former Houston Rockets player Chandler Parsons said, “It pains me to even watch him play 'cause I know he's not right. He's not healthy. I stand on what I said. They need to shut him down. I know he's gonna get crucified in the media, but that is ok. You're just wasting your year, you're ruining your pick.” If the Sixers’ management decides to take this drastic step, they’d undoubtedly face a wave of backlash from fans. But when weighing the potential rewards, it’s a gamble that could pay off big. Philly’s 2025 first-round pick currently belongs to the OKC Thunder, but it’s top-six protected. That means if the Sixers catch a lucky break in the draft lottery, they could secure a shot at landing a generational talent in what’s shaping up to be a stacked 2025 draft class. 

Could Cooper Flagg end up in a Sixers jersey? It’s a long shot, but you can bet the idea has crossed Daryl Morey’s mind as he watches the team’s dismal start to the season. In a campaign already looking like a lost cause, turning the tide with a bold move like this could reshape Philly’s future in a big way. 

Also Read: Trouble in Philly: Sixers Guard Tyrese Maxey Calls Out 2023 MVP Joel Embiid in a Heated Team Meeting