NBA News: 76ers' Paul George Reportedly Out vs. Celtics with Groin Injury

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George will miss the team's matchup with the Boston Celtics on Thursday night due to groin soreness, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The groin issue has affected George over Philadelphia's past few games, as he was listed as questionable heading into a 126-112 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday before ultimately playing.

He also missed the 76ers' clash with the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

George struggled during Philadelphia's loss to Minnesota, scoring a mere seven points in just under 30 minutes on the floor while shooting 3-11 from the field. He didn't play in the fourth quarter.

76ers head coach Nick Nurse addressed the nine-time All-Star's late absence against the Timberwolves.

"It's definitely a concern," Nurse said, via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire. "I mean, listen, he was questionable coming in with the groin, and he just tightened up on him there. I think it was the start of the fourth. Yeah, because we had him scheduled to go back in and Kelly (Oubre Jr.) out for a rest, because Paul got a little rest in the third, but yeah, tightened up groin, and yeah, we're certainly concerned about it."

Thursday night's battle with Boston will represent the 21st game that George has missed during his inaugural season in Philadelphia. He hasn't been able to suit up at times due to a variety of ailments including knee and finger issues.

When healthy, George has averaged just 16.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 43.0/35.8/81.4 shooting splits.

Expectations were higher for the veteran after he signed a massive four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers as a free agent in July 2024. He was coming off a 2023-24 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers in which he recorded 22.6 points per game and earned an All-Star nod.

With Philadelphia sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 21-40 record, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported that the team could shut down George for the remainder of the season.

The 76ers will attempt to survive without George against a Celtics squad that owns the No. 5 defensive rating in the association (via NBA.com).

Tip-off on Thursday is at 7:30 p.m. ET.