OKC Thunder forward Paul George captures February Player of the Month award
By Alex Mcewen
OKC Thunder starter Paul George has won Western Conference Player of the week multiple times this season. Now, he can add Player of the Month to his resume.
OKC Thunder All-Star Paul George had a February to remember. PG averaged 39.7 minutes and scored 35.0 points per game, on 44.0 percent shooting from the floor and 38.6 percent accuracy from the perimeter. George also corralled 8.4 rebounds, dished 5.4 assists, and grabbed 2.1 steals per match, while appearing in 10 games.
February marked the third time in George’s career and second instance this season he has averaged at least 30 points per game (ppg) for the course of one month. George’s 35 ppg is the highest single month scoring average of his career. That was not PG’s only career high, his 5.4 assists, were the most he has averaged in a single month.
George’s efforts did not go unnoticed. He was named Western Conference Player of the month, while Giannis Antetokounmpo won Eastern Conference Player of the Month. It is the first time, this season and fourth time in his career George has received the leagues monthly honors.
Smooth Moves
George had plenty of signature moments during the second month of 2019, but let’s look back on some of his most memorable feats:
Double Triple-Double
During the Thunder’s third meeting with their division rival the Portland Trailblazers, it was Russell Westbrook chasing history. Russ was seeking his 10th straight triple-double to surpass Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive triple-doubles all-time. Russ accomplished his feat, but what he and PG did as a duo was equally impressive.
George had a 47-point triple-double, the 22nd in NBA history. Russ and PG, become the first set of teammates to score 20 or more points, while both registering triple-doubles in the same match. Lost in the shuffle, thanks to otherworldly performances from PG and Russ, OKC secured the season series win over Portland.
Dropping 45-points en route to a 26-point comeback in H-Town
There were 20 40-point performances in the NBA during February. James Harden and George accounted for nine such scoring outbursts. When the two players met on February 9, it was a tale of two halves.
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Harden cooked early, but PG closed late. George scored 28 in the second half, while Harden wilted and scored 17. PG’s heroics helped OKC overcome a 26-point deficit on the road inside the proverbial MVP front-runners gym. The game provided a loud statement from George, that the MVP race was far from done.
Sinking the Jazz in Double-OT
In the first match out of the All-Star break, the Thunder and Jazz played a double-overtime classic. George was magnificent, he scored 31, of his 45-points in the second half and overtime. It was his fourth and final 40-point game of the month.
During the waning moments in the second overtime, with the Thunder trailing by two, PG drove into the lane and threw up a high arcing floater over the outstretched arms of the former DPOY Rudy Gobert. George nailed the shot, the arena exploded and in a game that featured 23 lead changes, PG put the Thunder ahead for good.
Much like the Portland game, the victory gave Oklahoma City the season series win over Utah. Due to the team’s recent struggles having both series wins in their pocket could pay dividends down the stretch.
Injured and Out
With the Thunder preparing to embark on their longest road trip of the season, they are eagerly awaiting the return of their All-Star starter. However, a rotator cuff strain can be complex because muscle stains tend to linger.
Despite, George ramping up his pregame workout during shootaround prior to the Spurs and Grizzlies contests, he remains out indefinitely. Tomorrow night the team will face the Minnesota Timberwolves likely without PG again.
If he misses much more time, he will return to a team sitting outside the top-four in the West. Assuming that scenario occurs, we will see just how super PG can be if he propels Oklahoma City back into the top-three.