Checking the paul george injury report has basically become a daily ritual for Philadelphia 76ers fans. It's exhausting. One day he’s dropping a casual 25 points, and the next, he’s a late scratch because of "knee soreness" or "injury management." As of January 18, 2026, George is technically active, but that label is as thin as a piece of parchment paper.
He played in the recent blowout loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 14 and suited up again on January 16. However, he’s been living on the "probable" list for weeks. Honestly, the Sixers are treating his left knee like a vintage Ferrari—lots of maintenance, very few miles allowed on the odometer, and a whole lot of prayer every time he hits a speed bump.
The Reality of the Paul George Injury Report Today
If you’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no" on whether he plays tonight, you're probably not going to get it until 30 minutes before tip-off. That's just the reality of PG-13 in Philly. The medical staff, led by the cautious eyes of the Sixers' training department, has been incredibly stingy with his minutes.
He’s currently averaging about 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season. Those aren't "superstar" numbers. They are "I’m-trying-not-to-break-again" numbers. He missed the first 12 games of this 2025-26 season following an arthroscopic procedure on that left knee back in July. Since returning in mid-November, he hasn't looked like the guy who was a perennial MVP candidate in OKC.
Why the Left Knee is a Constant Problem
The issue isn't just one freak accident. It’s a snowball effect.
🔗 Read more: NBA Draft Predictions 2025: What Most People Get Wrong
- Offseason Surgery: He had a "cleanup" procedure in July 2025 to remove debris.
- The Bone Bruise: Remember the 2024 preseason? He hyperextended that same knee, leading to a bone bruise that essentially ruined his first year in Philadelphia.
- Compensatory Injuries: Last season, he dealt with a torn adductor because he was overcompensating for the weak knee.
It’s a cycle. When the knee feels good, he plays. When he plays too much, the adductor or the ankle starts acting up. Nick Nurse has been blunt about it: they need him for the playoffs, not for a random Tuesday in January. But with the Sixers hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, they don't exactly have the luxury of resting him every other night.
Breaking Down the 2025-26 Season Workload
Looking at the game logs, it's a sea of "DNP - Injury Management." He’s only appeared in 21 games so far this season. For a guy making over $51 million this year, that’s a tough pill for the front office to swallow.
| Period | Games Played | Status Trend |
|---|---|---|
| October | 0 | Recovering from July surgery |
| November | 7 | Minutes restriction (20-25 mpg) |
| December | 10 | Started aggressive play, then hit "soreness" wall |
| January (to date) | 4 | Probable/Questionable flip-flopping |
The weirdest part? His steals and blocks are actually up. He’s still a smart defender. He knows where to be. But the "burst"—that first step that used to leave defenders in the dust—is visibly slower. He’s settling for more jumpers. In the game against Orlando on January 9, he didn't make a single three-pointer despite playing 33 minutes. That tells you his legs aren't quite under him yet.
📖 Related: Shericka Jackson 100m Win Rabat: The Real Story Behind That Season Opener
The Joel Embiid Factor
You can't talk about the paul george injury report without mentioning Joel Embiid. The Sixers' "Big Three" with Tyrese Maxey has rarely been on the floor together. It’s like a revolving door at a hospital. When Embiid is back, George goes out. When Maxey is cooking, one of the bigs is sidelined. This lack of chemistry is exactly why Philly struggled to a 24-58 record last year. They’re better this year, but only when the stars align, which happens about as often as a lunar eclipse.
What Fans and Fantasy Owners Should Expect
If you have PG-13 on your fantasy roster, you’ve probably considered trading him for a bag of chips and a second-round pick. Don't do it yet, but definitely lower your expectations. He is no longer a "set it and forget it" player.
The Sixers are likely to keep him out of almost every back-to-back situation for the remainder of the season. If they play tonight and then travel for a game tomorrow, expect him to be "OUT - Knee Soreness" for the second leg. It’s not a conspiracy; it’s just $212 million worth of insurance.
Surprising Nuance: The Mental Toll
In recent interviews with local Philly media, George has been candid about the "rock bottom" feeling of last season. Imagine being an elite athlete and your body just stops responding. He’s admitted to some hesitation when attacking the rim. That's a huge detail. If he’s scared of another hyperextension, he becomes a floor spacer rather than a playmaker. We've seen flashes of the old PG lately, especially his 35-point outburst against Atlanta in mid-December, but the consistency isn't there because the health isn't there.
👉 See also: NFL Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Why Your Strategy Might Be Totally Wrong
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
- Monitor the "Probable" Tag: For Paul George, "Probable" usually means he’ll play but on a strict 28-30 minute cap. "Questionable" almost always results in a DNP if it’s a road game.
- Watch the First Quarter: You can tell within five minutes if his knee is bothering him. If he’s not moving laterally on defense or is strictly shooting catch-and-shoot threes, he’s likely gutting it out through some discomfort.
- Check the Schedule: Look for the clusters of games. The Sixers have a heavy February schedule. Expect him to miss at least 3-4 games that month regardless of how "healthy" he feels today.
The paul george injury report isn't going away. It's the story of his tenure in Philadelphia. At 35 years old, with a history of lower-body surgeries, he is who he is: a high-level contributor who needs a lot of days off to stay functional.
For the Sixers to make a deep run, they don't need January Paul George. They need May Paul George. Whether his knees can hold out that long is the $212 million question.
Next Steps for Following the Situation
Keep a close eye on the official NBA Injury Report released at 1:30 PM ET and 5:30 PM ET daily. Specifically, look for any mention of "left adductor" soreness, as that has historically been the precursor to a multi-week absence for George following knee issues.