News: Paul George's return boosts LA Clippers' upset of Philadelphia 76ers as Joel Embiid remains sidelined
Los Angeles, CA - Paul George returned from a two-game absence and poured in 25 points as the Los Angeles Clippers upset the Philadelphia 76ers 113-106 on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
George, who missed the Clippers' previous two games with a hamstring injury, was 9-of-18 from the field and 5-of-10 from three-point range. He also added six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Kawhi Leonard added 23 points for the Clippers, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Nicolas Batum contributed 18 points, and Ivica Zubac had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Joel Embiid, the 76ers' All-Star center, missed his fourth consecutive game with a left knee injury. Without Embiid, the 76ers have lost three of their last four games.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 26 points, followed by Tyrese Maxey with 20 points and James Harden with 17 points.
The Clippers led by just three points at halftime, but they opened up a 10-point lead in the third quarter. The 76ers cut the lead to four points in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers held on for the victory.
With the win, the Clippers improved to 23-23 on the season. The 76ers fell to 26-16.
**Paul George's return was a big boost for the Clippers.** He is one of the team's best players, and his presence on the court makes a big difference. He was able to create his own shot and get to the rim, and he also knocked down some big shots from three-point range.
**The 76ers missed Embiid's presence in the paint.** He is one of the most dominant players in the NBA, and he is a major force on both ends of the court. Without him, the 76ers were not able to establish a consistent inside presence. As a result, they struggled to score in the paint and were outrebounded by the Clippers.
**The Clippers' win was a big one for their playoff hopes.** They are now just 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The 76ers, meanwhile, remain in third place in the Eastern Conference, but they are now just 2.5 games ahead of the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
