Six Games, Four Disasters: What’s Wrong with Paul George?

The Philadelphia 76ers’ season continues to spiral downward after a disappointing 86-98 road loss to the Orlando Magic. Despite the return of Joel Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers could not break their losing streak. A third-quarter collapse, where a 10-point lead was erased, and a fourth-quarter stumble, in which the team was outscored 25-14, sealed their fate.

While rookie MacKen Mackane shined with a standout performance, both Embiid and George underperformed, leaving fans and analysts questioning the latter’s troubling start to his tenure with the team.

The Bright Spot: MacKen Mackane

The rookie guard has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for the Sixers. Starting in this game, Mackane logged 31 minutes and delivered an impressive stat line: 29 points, 4 assists, and zero turnovers on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

Despite the team’s 12-point loss, Mackane’s impact was evident in his +13 plus-minus rating, the highest of any Sixers player in the game. This marks his fifth consecutive standout performance after a slow start to the season. Over the past five games, Mackane has scored 18, 27, 23, 34, and now 29 points.

Currently leading all rookies in scoring with 14.8 points per game, Mackane boasts efficient shooting splits of 47.4% from the field, 40.3% from three, and 100% from the line, resulting in an impressive true shooting percentage of 61.4%.

Joel Embiid: Hot Start, Cold Finish

Joel Embiid, who returned from injury, had a tale of two halves. In the first half, the reigning MVP scored 16 points efficiently, but his performance fell off dramatically after halftime. Embiid went scoreless from the field in the second half, missing all seven of his attempts, and finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 turnovers. His -9 plus-minus reflected his struggles.

To his credit, Embiid converted all 10 of his free-throw attempts, keeping his scoring respectable despite his shooting woes. However, his health remains a concern, as he continues to play through lingering issues and avoids back-to-back games.

Paul George’s Struggles

If Embiid’s performance was disappointing, Paul George’s was outright alarming. Playing 36 minutes, George shot a dismal 4-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-9 from three-point range, and finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 turnovers.

George’s game started poorly and ended worse. He went scoreless in the first quarter, missing all five of his shots, and managed only 2 points in the fourth. His -11 plus-minus was the lowest of any Sixers player.

This lackluster outing is part of a troubling trend for George. Since joining the Sixers, he has played six games:

• Vs. Suns: 4-of-14 shooting, 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
• Vs. Clippers: 7-of-9 shooting, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
• Vs. Lakers: 4-of-13 shooting, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists
• Vs. Hornets: 6-of-18 shooting, 15 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists
• Vs. Knicks: 10-of-19 shooting, 29 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists
• Vs. Magic: 4-of-15 shooting, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists

While his lone strong performance against the Knicks showed glimpses of his All-Star potential, the overall trend is concerning. George’s current season averages—16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.5 turnovers per game on 39.8% shooting from the field and 31.1% from three—are far below his standards. His true shooting percentage of 51.6% is a significant drop from last season’s elite 61.3%.

What’s Behind George’s Decline?

There are several factors that could be contributing to George’s early struggles:

1. Injury Recovery: George suffered a hyperextended knee during the preseason, which may still be affecting his mobility and rhythm.
2. Inconsistency: Throughout his career, George has been known for his streaky play. However, he has rarely opened a season with such sustained poor form.
3. Adjustment Period: Joining a new team and adapting to a new system often takes time, but George’s inefficiency has been glaring, especially for a 10-time All-Star.

High Expectations, Low Returns

The Sixers signed George to a four-year, $212 million max contract this offseason, banking on his ability to complement Embiid and elevate the team to championship contention. At 34 years old, George’s contract comes with inherent risks, as players in their mid-30s often see a decline in performance.

However, the Sixers were betting on at least a few more years of All-Star-caliber play from George. Thus far, he has not delivered.

George’s on-court impact has also been negative. When George is on the floor, the Sixers have a net rating of -11.9 points per 100 possessions. When he is off the court, that figure improves to -7.4. While the sample size is small, these numbers underscore George’s current struggles.

The Sixers’ Worrisome Start

Philadelphia’s disappointing 2-10 record places them second to last in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the rebuilding Toronto Raptors (2-11). This is a stark contrast to last season, when the Sixers opened with a 22-10 record. To match that pace, they would now need to win 20 straight games, an improbable feat.

One silver lining is the general mediocrity of the Eastern Conference this season. Despite their poor record, the Sixers are only five games behind the third-seeded Magic (8-6).

Still, the Sixers face an uphill battle. With Embiid managing injuries, Tyrese Maxey sidelined for several weeks, and George yet to find his footing, the team risks digging a hole too deep to climb out of.

The Road Ahead

George has faced criticism for inconsistency in the past, but he has often balanced his cold streaks with hot ones. For the Sixers to salvage their season, they need George to return to All-Star form quickly. A 4-year, $212 million contract demands more than what he has shown so far.

As the season progresses, there is hope that George will shake off his slow start and find his rhythm. For now, though, the Sixers and their fans are left wondering: What’s wrong with Paul George?