He looked a little bit tired out there. Honestly, watching the Philadelphia 76ers get dismantled by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night was rough for anyone wearing blue and red.
Paul George finished with 17 points.
It wasn’t the "PG-13" explosion Philly fans were hoping for in a 133-107 blowout loss. He played roughly 30 minutes, but against a Cavs team that’s currently firing on all cylinders, 17 points just wasn't going to cut it. Especially when Donovan Mitchell decides to go nuclear and drop 35.
Breaking Down the Paul George Points Last Game
If you’re just looking at the box score, 17 points sounds decent. It’s "fine." But the nuance is in how those points came—or didn't. George went 5-of-13 from the field. That’s about 38%, which basically tells the story of the Sixers' night. They couldn't buy a bucket when it mattered.
He was aggressive early on, trying to find his rhythm after sitting out the previous game against Toronto for knee injury management. You’ve gotta remember, this is a 35-year-old veteran navigating a long season. Sometimes the legs just aren't there.
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Here is the quick breakdown of his stat line from January 14, 2026:
- Points: 17
- Field Goals: 5/13
- Three-Pointers: 2/7
- Free Throws: 5/6
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists: 3
The 76ers actually trailed by 13 at the half, and there was a moment in the third where it felt like George might spearhead a comeback. He hit a couple of timely free throws and a contested jumper. The crowd at the Wells Fargo Center perked up. Then, the Cavs went on a 20-5 run and the air just left the building.
Why the Efficiency Matters Right Now
The big concern for Philly fans isn't necessarily the total number of Paul George points last game, but the consistency. Since the start of January 2026, PG has been a bit of a roller coaster. One night he’s dropping 23 on the Wizards (like he did back on Jan 7), and the next he’s held to single digits by Denver.
His shooting percentage for the season is hovering around 41%. That’s actually one of the lowest marks of his career. Is it the age? Is it the knee recovery? Probably a bit of both. When you’re playing alongside Joel Embiid—who also had 20 in the loss to Cleveland—you don’t need 30 every night. But you do need efficiency.
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The Context of the 76ers' Recent Struggles
The Sixers are currently sitting at 21-16. That’s fifth in the East, which sounds okay until you realize the gap between them and the top-tier teams like the Celtics and Pistons is widening.
- Injuries are the ghost in the room. George has already missed a significant chunk of games this season (about 26 total) due to that pesky left knee.
- Chemistry takes time. We’re halfway through the 2025-26 season and the "Big Three" of Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey still feel like they're introduces to each other on the court.
- The Bench hasn't arrived. When PG or Maxey have an off night, there isn't much scoring punch coming from the second unit.
In the Toronto game on January 11, George didn't even play. The Sixers lost that one too, 116-115 in overtime. It’s clear that even a "quiet" 17-point night from George is better than him not being on the floor at all. He still draws the best defender. He still spaces the floor.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Performance
The narrative today will be "Paul George is washed" or "The Sixers made a mistake." That’s reactionary.
If you watch the tape of the Cavs game, George was often the only one moving without the ball. Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for a dismal 8-of-26 shooting night. When your backcourt is shooting 30%, the wing players get squeezed. Cleveland could afford to keep an extra body near George because they weren't afraid of the perimeter threat from the guards.
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It's also worth noting that George’s defensive impact was... well, it was okay. He’s not the "Lockdown Lefty" he was in Indiana, but he still has the length to disrupt passing lanes. He just looked a step slow trying to close out on De'Andre Hunter and Evan Mobley.
Looking Ahead to the Rematch
Philly doesn't have much time to lick their wounds. They play Cleveland again on Friday.
For George to bounce back, he needs to get to the rim. In the last game, he relied heavily on the jump shot (7 of his 13 shots were from deep). When the shot isn't falling, a vet like him usually tries to draw contact. He did get to the line six times, which is a good sign, but he needs more paint touches to collapse the defense.
If the 76ers want to climb back into the top four of the Eastern Conference, they need the version of Paul George that dominates the fourth quarter. We saw flashes of it against Orlando on January 9. We just haven't seen it consistently enough in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Following the Sixers:
- Watch the Injury Report: George is on a strict "injury management" schedule for his left knee. If it's the second half of a back-to-back, expect him to sit.
- Monitor Shooting Volume: If George takes more than 15 shots, Philly usually wins. If he’s passive and stays under 12, the offense stagnates.
- Track the Rematch: The Jan 16 game against Cleveland will be the real litmus test for whether Wednesday was just a fluke or a deeper trend.
Keep an eye on the Friday night box score. If George can bump those 17 points up to 22 or 24 on better efficiency, the Sixers might actually have a chance to split this mini-series with the Cavs.