Report: Paul George Out to Start Clippers vs. Suns Playoff Series amid Injury Rehab

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George will not be ready to return for the start of the team's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns but is making "tangible progress" in his recovery from a knee injury.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the positive update on George, who has been out since he sprained his right knee March 21 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Clippers initially said George would be re-evaluated within a two-to-three-week time frame, which puts this update right in line with expectations.

"I've been feeling better," George said on his podcast, Podcast P (3:30 mark). "I've been working my butt, I've been grinding like literally every day. Six days out of the week, I'm training, I'm doing rehab. I'm gonna give it every chance I got, man. It's coming down to the wire."

FanDuel Sportsbook has the Clippers listed as a +330 underdog for their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, with George's expected absence being the biggest factor. If George and Kawhi Leonard were both healthy, this would be by far the most anticipated first-round series in these playoffs.

As it stands, the Clippers will come limping into the weekend while the Suns finally have their group of superstars healthy. Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have played minimally together since Durant's midseason trade to Phoenix, but they have an on-paper talent advantage over every team in the NBA.

Barring injury, the most likely path a Western Conference team has to unseat the Suns is to use its longstanding chemistry to defeat a team that's brimming with talent but lacks cohesion.

Unless George makes a miraculous recovery in time to get back when the series returns to Los Angeles, it's unlikely the Clippers will be that team.