PHOENIX — His first basket came 18 seconds into the second quarter, which paul george To break out of a mini-slump in the first game of the season. His last basket came with 10:03 left in the game.

Despite a rough shooting night, the nine-time All-Star showed why the 76ers gave the 34-year-old a four-year, max-salary deal this summer.

His mere presence makes the Sixers an improved team.

” READ MORE: Nick Nurse and Sixers try to get Joel Embiid’s mind back on basketball after locker room argument

While his presence was welcome in the first game of the season, it didn’t help the Sixers lose their third straight game. Monday night’s 118-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns dropped them to 1-5 heading into Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. This game will be the homecoming game for George, who spent the last five seasons with the Clippers.

The Sixers took a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, with 1 minute and 40 seconds left in the match, the difference between them decreased to one point. Then Kevin Durant’s shot with one minute left put Phoenix ahead 116-115.

Tyrese Maxey He split a pair of foul shots on the next possession to knot the score. However, Durant, who scored a game-high 35 points (6-1) for the Suns, responded with a layup and the score was 118-116 with 24 seconds left in the game.

George missed a 23-foot field goal with 3.1 seconds left, then Maxey failed to make a three-pointer in time at the buzzer.

After missing the first five games after suffering a hyperextension and bone injury in his left knee on October 14, George finished the game with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 31:32. He didn’t have his best shooting night. Shooting 4-for-14 — including 1-of-5 on three-pointers. But George displayed all the intangibles.

” READ MORE: Sixers’ Kyle Lowry is poised to pass Hall of Famer Paul Arizin to become Nova’s all-time leading NBA scorer

And his presence made things easier for Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 32 points on his 24th birthday. Kyle Lowry (13 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (11 points) and Guerschon Yabusele (19 points) were the other double-digit scorers. Yabusele, who hit five three-pointers, closed the game at center instead of Andre Drummond.

early departure

The Suns called a timeout with 6:53 left in the first quarter. George was noticeably tired as he walked towards the bench. At the time, he had zero points while missing two shot attempts due to turnovers.

He was removed from the game by Eric Gordon. But the minutes restriction was always part of the plateau.

“I think he feels good.” Nurse Nick he said before the match. “I think the conditioning element is something we need to try to do more. Try not to put him in the red zone too much early. Try to keep it a little shorter, especially in the early hours.”

George returned to the game at 3 o’clock in the first game, replacing Maxey. A foul was called eight seconds later and he picked up his second foul less than a minute later. George missed his third and fourth shot attempts on the next possession, then returned the ball on the next possession. He finished the quarter with zero points on 0-for-5 shooting and two turnovers.

George, who scored his first basket early in the second quarter, later picked up his third foul and had to go to the bench. He came back with 5:40 before the break.

George scored his second basket with 1:44 left in the half. It came as Bradley made an acrobatic layup during Beal’s foul. He also made the free throw to put the Sixers ahead 61-58.

finding rhythm

Finding his rhythm, George hit a three-point shot on the next ball. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound forward started several Sixers drives by grabbing defensive rebounds, pushing the tempo up the court and putting his team in sets.

He scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbed three defensive rebounds in the second quarter.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer described how George’s presence helps the Sixers: “His ability to score at all three levels.” “His ball-handling combined with his height at 6-8 and his ability to kind of create separation off the dribble. And also…he’s a great guy coming out of jams and coming off screens.”

Budenholzer talked athleticism and moved to get to the paint and finish there, getting to the foul line and making early three-pointers in transition.

“I think he is a very unique and talented actor,” he said. “It’s like he can do anything offensively. He can also go with the flow of a team. He just kind of picks his spot and seems like a great teammate. He’s been one of the best players in our league for a long time.”

The early rust was completely eliminated in the third quarter. George stood out and was a vocal leader on both sides of the ball. However, he went to the bench after 4:55 of overtime as part of his minutes restriction. But the Sixers managed to stay in the game thanks in large part to Maxey’s 13 points in the third quarter before coming back with 26.0 points remaining in the third quarter. The Suns entered the fourth quarter with a 94-93 lead.

” READ MORE: Paul George excited to make Sixers debut after five-game delay: ‘That’s what it was all about’

Joel Embiid He remains on the sidelines for what the Sixers are calling management of his left knee injury.