Paul George Will Miss Play-in Against the Pelicans Due to Health and Safety Protocols

After losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a shot at the 7th seed, the Los Angeles Clippers have a chance at making the eighth seed tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans for the final playoff spot. However, star player, Paul George will not be participating in the play-in game. George entered the health and safety protocols, therefore making him ineligible for the game.

Clippers star Paul George has entered health and safety protocols and will miss tonight's Play-in game vs. New Orleans, sources tell @TimBontemps and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2022

That is a huge blow for a Clippers team that has been battling to stay healthy all season long. Both their star players Kawhi Leonard and George have missed the majority of the season to injury and now George to health and safety protocols.

In the loss against the Timberwolves, George scored 34 points and was the leading scorer for the team. Now, the rest of the Clippers team will have to do without a huge part of their scoring. Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris will have to carry the load for the starters and expect Norman Powell to play a critical role coming off the bench to make up for the lack of scoring options.

The Pelicans came off a win against the San Antonio Spurs and are hoping to win tonight against the George-less Clippers. For George and the Clippers, it is a familiar territory that they had to deal with late last season as well, when both Leonard and George had to enter health and safety protocols. Nevertheless, you can never count out Head coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers team who have been accustomed to playing without star power for most of the season.