PLAY VISTA, California - LA Clippers star Paul George has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Friday night's play-in game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank confirmed that George entered the league's health and safety protocols.
It's a significant blow to the Clippers, who lose their star guard -- again -- when they try to secure the No. 8 seed for the Western Conference playoffs in the elimination game versus the Pelicans. The winner advances to a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.
"He's disappointed. He's down," coach Tyrone Lew said before the game. "I just told him, 'We have to win this game for you.'"
Frank said on Thursday George was not feeling well and was tested.
"It's another challenge for our group," Frank said at the team shootaround. “The group has faced challenges throughout the years. We had people in and out of the lineup to overcome major shortfalls and yet this group has always responded. A very resilient group. We have a lot of confidence. And a genius and a great coach on the deep roster and Ty Lew."
Asked whether other Clippers players are to be tested and whether George will be out for a certain period, Frank said the team is following the NBA's lead when it comes to health and safety protocols.
“It has been a challenge, but it has just been a series of challenges and it may be fair that this is a position where all the representatives of the group and the experience they have been in these moments many times before this year.”
The news was quick to affect the point spread of Friday night's game in sportsbooks, with the Clippers immediately moving from 4-point favorites to 1-point underdogs against the Pelicans.
George was out for three months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. In all, he lost 51 games this season, with the Clippers 24–27 in his absence and an 18–13 lineup with them.
He missed one of the Clippers' regular-season games against the Pelicans, which New Orleans won by 24 points.
George returned for five regular-season games after his long layoff, and the Clippers have won six of their last eight with a healthy George in the lineup.
He averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season. He had 34 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the team's 109-104 loss for seventh place in the play-in game in Minnesota on Tuesday.
The Clippers are again without both of their stars. Kawhi Leonard remains out as he rehabs a torn ACL and hasn't played a minute this season. Frank said there's still no timetable for Leonard's return.