Breaking news: OKC Thunder makes a late announcement that star Paul George will start versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In a last minute pre-game decision it was announced OKC Thunder star Paul George will return to the lineup in his regular starting spot.
This is a bit of a shock as the OKC Thunder seemed to be leaning toward George being out. Then again, this might have been a case of cat and mouse which often occurs in the Association. The resulting effect of a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves thinking Paul George was out is they might not adequately prepare for the task of handling the MVP candidate.
Conversely, it may have simply been a case of George wanting to see how his shoulder felt in shootaround.
Paul George is starting. Standard starters for the Thunder (Westbrook, Ferguson, George, Grant, Adams)
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) March 6, 2019
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As Thunderous Intentions noted earlier in the day the thinking was not only that Paul George wouldn’t play, but a tweak would be made to the lineup. Noted by the site NBA Lineups it was presumed OKC Thunder Head Coach, Billy Donovan was going to insert Deonte Burton to add some floor spacing and offense.
Simultaneously this move would send Dennis Schroder back to the bench where his services are greatly needed given the regression in offense during the mini losing slump.
In two meetings this season versus the Wolves both were decided by two points and both were losses. For his part George had the following results:
December 23rd, OKC Thunder hosted Minnesota: 31 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal while shooting 11 of 24 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3-point land.
January 8 on road at Minnesota: 27 points, 9 rebounds, one assist, while shooting 9 of 24 from the field and 5 of 13 from deep.
George has missed the last three games and the only other time he missed a game this season (December 28), he returned to score 36 points in a two-point loss to the Mavericks. Let’s hope his return brings some good fortune with it.