Paul George of the Sixers hyperextends his knee during the preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks

ATLANTA – Joel Embiid remains sidelined for the 76ers' preseason.

Now it's also the lively newcomer Paul George.

George, the Sixers' perennial All-Star and key free agency signing, hyperextended his left knee in the first half of Monday's 104-89 win over the Hawks at State Farm Arena. While guarding Hawks' Jalen Johnson in the second quarter, he appeared to plant his leg awkwardly and did not return to the bench after going to the locker room for evaluation. He started the game strong, with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 12 minutes.

After the game, George had a sleeve on his knee but was able to walk. He said he has already received some treatments and will see how the knee feels Tuesday morning and “assess it from there.”

“I grab (the ball) and stick it out,” George told the Inquirer about how the injury occurred. “I wanted to take a step to somehow break through, and then my leg somehow hyperextended backwards. I felt like it was overextending, and immediately I said, “Okay, I need to be taken out and look at this.”

“But if you ask me, I’m not too worried about it.”

George's departure came a day after the Sixers announced that Embiid would not play in any preseason games. It's part of the season-long management plan for the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player after he underwent knee surgery in February and then competed in the Summer Olympics. Asked before Monday's game if there were concerns about Embiid being ready for the Oct. 23 season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, coach Nick Nurse said: “Opening night is still a ways off…so I'm not really sure.” sure where we stand.” I agree with that.”

” READ MORE: The Sixers are ruling out center Joel Embiid for the remainder of the preseason

“But with the plan we have in place, we are on the right track,” Nurse added.

George's injury is an early reminder that health could be the biggest wild card in this highly anticipated Sixers season. Although the 34-year-old George played in 74 games in the 2023-24 season, he had played 56 or fewer games in each of the previous four seasons due to various injuries. And Embiid has battled numerous injuries throughout his stellar career.

At least George's injury disrupted personnel planning on Monday. After most of the Sixers' rotation rested during Saturday's big loss in Boston, all of those players except Embiid were available initially against the Hawks.

Those returning players also brought with them a revamped starting lineup, with guard Eric Gordon (eight points on 2 of 4 from three-point range) replacing forward Caleb Martin (seven points, four rebounds, two assists) as part of a look that made the Sixers were even smaller, but brought more outside shooting.

After that opening group missed eight of its first nine shots, All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey (14 points on 5 of 18 shooting, seven assists) led the Sixers' turnaround, turning an eight-point deficit into a lead. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 14 points on 4 of 12 shooting.

” READ MORE: Joel Embiid and Paul George won't play “many consecutive times, if at all,” for the Sixers this season

This change in the starting lineup also briefly created a group with George alongside Martin, Kyle Lowry, KJ Martin and Guerschon Yabusele in the second quarter, which helped push the Sixers' lead to double digits. With George out, Caleb Martin finished the second quarter and began the third with the remaining starters Monday.

These personnel decisions resulted in rookie guard Jared McCain and second-year winger Ricky Council IV being left out of the regular rotation. McCain, who had a lot of playing time in the preseason, came into the game late in the third quarter and finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

The Sixers will complete their preseason this week, with a home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and an away date at the Orlando Magic on Friday.