76ers' Paul George Provides Knee Injury Update, Aims to Return 'Within the Next Week'

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George appears to be progressing well in his recovery from his knee injury.

George, who was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice, told reporters afterward that he's hoping to make his return "hopefully within the next week."

The Sixers already ruled out George, star center Joel Embiid and veteran point guard Kyle Lowry for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. It will be the ninth game that George has missed so far in his first year in Philadelphia.

George hasn't played since he suffered a hyperextended left knee in the Sixers' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 20. It's the same injury he suffered in the preseason and forced him to miss the start of the year.

When he was healthy, the six-time All-Star performed well below his usual standards. In eight appearances this season, George averaged just 14.9 points while shooting career-worsts of 38.3 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from beyond the arc. He also added 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals.

Amid Philadelphia's unfortunate string of injuries, the team has the second-worst record in the NBA at 3-13. The Sixers were pegged as title contenders when George joined the franchise in free agency this past offseason, but they're digging themselves into a hole that could hurt their chances to fulfill their goal.

Without George and Embiid, the Sixers are left to rely on rising star point guard Tyrese Maxey and promising young rookie Jared McCain. Philadelphia will be looking to avoid a second consecutive loss when it meets Houston on Wednesday.