Paul George is back: 39 points and MVP-level numbers – “I’ll give everything I have”
Paul George responds on the court: 39 points and a statement performance that reshapes the team’s outlook
Despite being sidelined for 25 games due to taking a substance not permitted under NBA protocol, Paul George appears to be back at an extremely promising level. In the road win against the Washington Wizards, the box score reads: 39 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, shooting 68% from the field with 0 turnovers.
In the 4 games since his return, Paul George has averaged 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 51% shooting, with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, proving he can still be a key piece heading into the NBA Playoffs.
I want to apologize to the city of Philadelphia, my family, my teammates, the organization, and everyone who was affected by this suspension. I was brought here to be a leader, and letting people down is the hardest thing to accept. I thank my teammates for their support: I’ll give everything I have
Paul George
After the game against Washington, the former Indiana Pacers star shifted the focus to an intriguing young player.
The No. 8 praised rookie Will Riley, who is putting together a solid season despite the Wizards’ struggles, highlighting similarities in both skill set and mindset.
Yeah, he’s really good. He’s going to have a bright future. I love his aggressiveness, his assertiveness. He’s got ball handling, control, playmaking and scoring – he can do it all. He’s playing with great confidence. I see a lot of myself in him
Paul George on Will Riley
The growth of Will Riley is evident: he has averaged over 14 points per game in the last two months, reaching 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in March, shooting over 45% from the field and 34% from three. In his latest game, he finished with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
The tanking context of the Washington Wizards may help his development without pressure, but his talent was already well known. Alongside Coulibaly, Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Alex Sarr, he represents one of the most intriguing prospect cores for the franchise’s future.