INGLEWOOD — Homecomings usually are full of warm welcomes, fond appreciation and admiration. Not, however, if your initials are PG.
There was little love from the fans on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome as Paul George returned to town for the first time to face the Clippers, the team he spent five seasons with before moving east as a free agent this summer.
Booing from the Start
George hit his share of memorable game-winning shots and helped lead the Clippers to their first Western Conference finals in 2021, but the only thing many of the fans wanted to focus on Wednesday was how the nine-time All-Star shunned an extension offer from the Clippers and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason.
They showed their feelings quickly, booing as soon as George got the ball off the opening tip. He brought the ball up the court a few minutes later and was booed a bit more heartily. In fact, every time he touched the ball, the sparse crowd at Intuit Dome booed.
George Plays On
Even after a tribute video, highlighting many of his on- and off-court contributions to the team and community, was played on the giant halo video board, some fans cheered; most booed. Still others held signs suggesting the Palmdale native play more and talk less, a shot at his "Podcast P" program.
"It was great," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "They booed him, tried to get him out of his game even though he didn’t miss too many shots, but now they can cheer for him tomorrow."
Through it all, though, George played on. In his second game this season (he missed the first five with an injury), he had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and seven rebounds in a 110-98 loss to a team that bears little resemblance to the roster from his time here.
The Game
Norman Powell had a game-high 26 points, his seventh straight game with 20-plus points, while James Harden added 18 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Derrick Jones Jr., who took over George’s starting role, finished with 14 points and four rebounds as the Clippers improved to 4-4.
Conclusion
The Clippers didn’t get swept up in the emotion of seeing their former teammate. They were all business in winning their second straight game, doing so in unpredictable fashion by building a double-digit lead in the second half and maintaining it while shooting 57% for the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the reaction from the fans towards Paul George?
A: The fans booed George throughout the game, showing little love for the nine-time All-Star.
Q: How did George respond to the booing?
A: George played on, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and seven rebounds in the 110-98 loss.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The Clippers won 110-98.
Q: Who led the Clippers in scoring?
A: Norman Powell had a game-high 26 points, his seventh straight game with 20-plus points.
