Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Paul George

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Paul George made an impact.

Paul George, nicknamed "PG-13", is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He is a highly decorated player, having been selected as an NBA All-Star nine times. His exceptional skills have also earned him six All-NBA Team selections and four NBA All-Defensive Team selections, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top talents on both offense and defense.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: Eastern Conference Finals trip

In 2013 Paul George led the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals trip since 2004

November 18, 2008: SportsCenter Top Play

On November 18, 2008, Paul George recorded 25 points and 10 rebounds against Saint Mary's, and his one-handed slam dunk over Mickey McConnell earned him SportsCenter's number 1 "Play of the Day".

February 9, 2009: Career-High Points

On February 9, 2009, Paul George scored a then career-high 29 points to lead the Fresno State Bulldogs to an 88–82 victory over Boise State.

March 31, 2010: NBA Draft Entry

On March 31, 2010, Paul George announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility at Fresno State and enter the 2010 NBA draft.

May 2010: Predicted NBA Draft Selection

In May 2010, mock drafts predicted that Paul George would be selected 12th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

July 1, 2010: Signs Rookie Contract with Pacers

On July 1, 2010, Paul George signed his rookie contract with the Indiana Pacers, a two-year guaranteed deal worth $3.9 million.

2010: NBA Debut

In 2010, Paul George made his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs, playing 23 minutes and scoring 4 points.

2010: Drafted by Indiana Pacers

In 2010, Paul George was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft and earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

2011: Lockout-shortened Season

In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Paul George started all 66 games for the Pacers, averaging 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 44% shooting

February 3, 2012: 30 Points, 7 Three-Pointers, 9 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 5 Steals and 1 Blocked Shot

On February 3, 2012, Paul George recorded 30 points, 7 three-pointers made, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 1 blocked shot in a win against the Dallas Mavericks.

November 21, 2012: Career-High 37 Points

On November 21, 2012, Paul George scored a career-high 37 points and made nine three-pointers in a victory against the New Orleans Hornets, breaking the franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a single game.

2012: Participated in Slam Dunk Contest

In 2012, Paul George participated in the Slam Dunk Contest, showcasing his athleticism as a high-flyer.

2012: Worked on Ball Handling Skills

In 2012, Paul George worked with trainer Jerry Powell during the off-season to improve his ball-handling skills.

February 13, 2013: First Career Triple-Double

On February 13, 2013, Paul George recorded his first career triple-double in a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, finishing with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.

May 14, 2013: Game 4 Victory

On May 14, 2013, Paul George led the Pacers with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks, in a 93–82 victory.

September 25, 2013: Contract Extension

On September 25, 2013, the Indiana Pacers extended Paul George's contract, electing him to be their designated player.

December 2, 2013: Career-High Scoring Performance

On December 2, 2013, Paul George scored a career-high 43 points, along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists, in a 106–102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2013: NBA Most Improved Player and All-Star Selection

In 2013, Paul George was named the NBA Most Improved Player and earned his first All-Star selection, leading the Indiana Pacers to their first Eastern Conference Finals trip since 2004.

2014: Playoffs run, All-NBA third team, All-Defensive First Team

In 2014, Paul George made it to the playoffs, eliminating the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards in the first two rounds before being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat for the third straight year. He was also named to the All-NBA third team and All-Defensive First Team.

2014: Contract Extension Starting

In 2014, Paul George's contract extension with the Indiana Pacers was set to begin, which was a "5/30" designated player extension.

2015: 2015-16 Season start

In the Pacers' 2015–16 season opener against the Toronto Raptors on October 28, Paul George recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, and was later fined $10,000 for criticizing the referees.

2015: Previous Season

Paul George joined the United States national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, following the 2015-16 season.

April 16, 2016: First Playoff Game Since 2014

On April 16, 2016, Paul George played in his first playoff game since 2014, scoring 33 points in a Game 1 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

October 26, 2016: Season Opener Performance

On October 26, 2016, Paul George scored 25 points in a 130–121 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks in the Pacers' season opener.

2016: Joined United States national team for the Summer Olympics

Following the 2015–16 season, Paul George joined the United States national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2016: All-Star Game Performance

In 2016, Paul George competed for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, where he started and was the game's leading scorer with 41 points, finishing one point shy of the All-Star game record set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

2016: All-Star Return and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Paul George recovered from his injury to become an All-Star again and won an Olympic gold medal.

January 29, 2017: 33 points in win over the Houston Rockets

On January 29, 2017, Paul George scored 33 points in a 120–101 win over the Houston Rockets, matching a career high by topping the 30-point mark for the fourth straight game.

March 15, 2017: Season-High Scoring in Win Against Hornets

On March 15, 2017, Paul George scored 27 of his season-high 39 points in the second half of the Pacers' 98–77 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

April 2, 2017: 43-Point Effort in Loss to Cavaliers

On April 2, 2017, Paul George had a 43-point effort in a 135–130 double overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

April 14, 2017: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Month

On April 14, 2017, Paul George was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for games played in April, where he averaged an NBA-high 32.8 points.

July 6, 2017: Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder

On July 6, 2017, Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

October 19, 2017: Debut for the Thunder

On October 19, 2017, Paul George debuted for the Thunder, scoring a team-high 28 points in a 105–84 win over the New York Knicks.

November 10, 2017: Season-High Scoring Performance

On November 10, 2017, Paul George scored a season-high 42 points in a 120–111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

2017: Signature Footwear and Apparel Line with Nike

In 2017, Paul George signed with Nike and had a signature footwear and apparel line.

2017: Trade to Oklahoma City Thunder

In 2017, Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

January 20, 2018: 36-Point Effort in Win Over Cavaliers

On January 20, 2018, Paul George had a 36-point effort in a 148–124 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 27, 2018: Replacement for NBA All-Star Game

On January 27, 2018, Paul George was named as a replacement for the injured DeMarcus Cousins on Team LeBron for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.

February 1, 2018: Season-High Scoring Performance in Loss to Nuggets

On February 1, 2018, Paul George scored a season-high 43 points in a 127–124 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

April 11, 2018: 40-Point Performance

On April 11, 2018, in the Thunder's regular season finale, Paul George scored 40 points in a 137–123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

July 1, 2018: Decision to Stay with the Thunder

Weeks before free agency began on July 1, 2018, Paul George decided to stay with the Thunder.

July 10, 2019: Traded to the Clippers

On July 10, 2019, Paul George was traded by the Thunder to the Clippers.

November 14, 2019: Clippers Debut

On November 14, 2019, Paul George made his Clippers debut against the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 33 points in a 132–127 loss.

2019: Trade to Los Angeles Clippers

In 2019, Paul George was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 10, 2020: Contract Extension with Clippers

On December 10, 2020, Paul George signed a four-year, $190 million contract extension with the Clippers.

October 29, 2021: Season-High Scoring Performance

On October 29, 2021, Paul George scored a season-high 42 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 92–111 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2021: Conference Finals Appearance

In 2021, during Paul George's tenure, the Los Angeles Clippers made their first trip to the Conference Finals.

March 29, 2022: Return from Injury

On March 29, 2022, in his first game back from injury, Paul George scored 34 points, with six assists and four steals, in a 121–115 comeback victory over the Utah Jazz.

October 22, 2022: 40-point game against the Kings

On October 22, 2022, Paul George scored 40 points, with 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in a win against the Sacramento Kings. This marked the 20th time in his career that he scored at least 40 points, and his fifth as a Clipper.

2022: End of Nike Signature Line

In 2022, Paul George's signature footwear and apparel line with Nike came to an end.

March 5, 2023: 42 points and 11 rebounds against the Grizzlies

On March 5, 2023, Paul George posted 42 points and 11 rebounds in a win against the Memphis Grizzlies.

October 28, 2023: 36 points against the Utah Jazz

On October 28, 2023, Paul George scored 36 points and went 15 for 15 from the free-throw line in a loss against the Utah Jazz.

January 12, 2024: 37 points against the Memphis Grizzlies

On January 12, 2024, Paul George scored 37 points on 12-of-18 shooting, 7-of-10 from three, 6-of-6 from the free throw line in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

June 29, 2024: Opted out of Clippers contract

On June 29, 2024, Paul George opted out of his $48.7 million player option with the Clippers, becoming a free agent.

July 6, 2024: Signed with the Philadelphia 76ers

On July 6, 2024, Paul George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, choosing jersey number 8 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant. This signing created a star trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

2024: Nike to Re-release Earlier Sneaker Models

In 2024, Paul George announced that Nike would re-release his earlier sneaker models.

2024: Signs with the Philadelphia 76ers

In 2024, Paul George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

2024: 2024 Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks

In 2024, during game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks, Paul George struggled, scoring only 7 points. In the following game, he scored 33 points. The Clippers lost the series to the Mavericks 4–2.

2024: Injuries and ineffectiveness marked the 2024 season

Paul George struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in the 2024-2025 season, missing the first five games due to a bone bruise.

March 17, 2025: Season-ending injuries announced

On March 17, 2025, it was announced that Paul George would miss the remainder of the season due to adductor and knee injuries. His season was described as disappointing.