Ex-Pacers guard predicts 76ers will drop to play-in tournament this season

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Ex-Pacers guard predicts 76ers will drop to play-in tournament this season
Paul George in the frame.

Story Highlights:

Teague joked Philly’s Big 3 would only be healthy for the season opener before injuries hit again.

Barnes revealed George recently had long-overdue knee treatment and is now “feeling a lot better.”

Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers want to avenge their 2024-25 NBA season as the 76ers finished with a 24-58 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The team signed George to a four, $212 million contract in July last year, creating excitement before the season.

There was a lot of excitement about him creating a Big 3 with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, the team struggled due to injuries to the three stars. George was only allowed to play 41 games. After 52 matches, the team shut down Maxey and Embiid only appeared in 19 matches.

As the start of the 2025-26 season approaches, Many are looking to see how the 76ers will perform in their squad season with a star trio.

Former Indiana Pacers player Jeff Teague predicted that the 76ers will be a Play-In team and noted that George will likely be hurt next season. Teague spoke about it on the recent episode of his show, "Club 520 Podcast."

"Play-In, man," Teague predicted. "Paul George is cooked.

 

 

"It's a great chance he's gonna be hurt this year. For real, how often is this n***a not hurt?

 

 

His brother, marquis, countered that the 76ers will be at full strength in the upcoming season. However, the former Atlanta Hawks point guard shut down the argument and joked that Philly's Big 3 were at full strength in the first match of the year.

"They're gonna be at full strength the first game of the season. In game two, they gon' be out."

 

 

Matt Barnes gives an update on Paul George's knee

This summer, the 76ers players utilize his time in recovery of their bodies to get ready for the 2025-26 season. Paul George acknowledged the knee issues that bothered him last season. It was reported in July that George underwent knee surgery after suffering an injury during an offseason workout.

On "The Underground Lounge," former NBA star Matt Barnes provided an update on George's knee.

“I think it’s up to Embiid if he going to show up. Is PG’s knee going to be all right? I just talked to P the other day. He said he’s feeling a lot better,” Barnes said (54:01). “They found something they should have found a long time ago in his knee that they got done.”

 

 

The 76ers fans are looking to see Paul George flourish with Embiid and the team next season.