LA Clippers: It’s time to worry about Paul George in the NBA playoffs

Paul George and the LA Clippers originally dismissed the All-Star’s woes in the NBA playoffs, but after their Game 4 loss, it might be time to worry.

Heading into the restart, the LA Clippers were listed among the favorites to take home this year’s NBA title, and for a good reason. With a roster constructed of top-tier talent all-around, it seemed like a no-brainer that they could achieve greatness on the highest level in the NBA playoffs. However, it appears that the weakest link that might derail their aspirations entirely is Paul George.

Squaring off against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs, George’s struggles have been on full display. In the first three games of the series, the guard averaged 17.3 points per game on 29.2 percent field goal shooting and a vile 23.0 percent 3-point shooting, far below his typical output.

George made some comments postgame regarding his struggles, brushing them off. Via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk:

"“I’m not James Harden,” George said of how he tries to impact the game on both ends of the floor. “That’s not my knack … to just shoot the ball, score the ball. I can and I pride myself on being effective on both ends. But there’s going to be nights like this where I just can’t make a shot, and I can’t allow that to affect my game.”"

With a 2-1 lead in the series, the Clippers seemed to be in the driver’s seat, despite George being locked into a devastating slump offensively. LA’s head coach Doc Rivers shared confidence in his shooting guard, also disregarding any worries.

"“Yeah, I’m not worried about it,” Doc Rivers told reporters after Game 3. “He’s a great player. He’s human. I can tell you this, I can guarantee you this, he has not forgotten how to shoot. It will fall for him.”"

Well, it did not fall for him in Game 4 either, to say the least.

With a 21 point lead, the game seemed all but finished for the LA Clippers until 21-year-old phenom Luka Doncic erupted. The Dallas Mavericks stormed back, forcing overtime and eventually coming out victorious courtesy of a game-winning 3-pointer from Doncic to tie the series 2-2.

And where was Paul George? M.I.A.

In 45 minutes of action, PG finished with just 9 points, shooting 3-for-14 from the field and 1-for-7 from 3-point territory. Excluding his Game 1 performance, George is now averaging 11.3 points per game on 21.2 percent field goal shooting, and 15.6 percent field goal shooting in his last three games. With their second fiddle superstar getting progressively worse with each passing game, it might be time to worry for the Clippers.

Digging deep into the vault, the Elias Sports Bureau recorded that after last night’s game, Paul George is the first player to shoot under 25 percent in three straight playoff games with a minimum of 10 field-goal attempts each game since Bob Cousy in 1960.

If this immense NBA playoffs slump continues for Paul George, the LA Clippers have virtually no chance to win a championship this season, let alone get out of their first-round matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.

Something appears out of sorts for George, whether it be his lingering shoulder issue that previously got cleared, the ‘bubble’ atmosphere, or perhaps he is genuinely just in a slump shooting the ball. George is certainly a capable playoff performer, averaging 28.6 points in five games for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season in their eventual first-round exit, which makes his struggles nerve-racking for LA.

Whatever the case might be, the LA Clippers need Paul George to break out of this disastrous slump, and they need it now with a pivotal Game 5 approaching.