Written by sidhanta

[{"selector":"#anim-8a6f8c9b-a869-42f9-b1a3-72bcaa56a6c1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] LA Clippers' Paul George scores 34 in return from 3-month absence to fuel comeback vs. Utah Jazz

LOS ANGELES -- Three months after he seriously considered undergoing surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow,

[{"selector":"#anim-5a092a75-9c08-41a1-944c-9dba62da2ce2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Paul George soared for an alley-oop pass that was sailing out of bounds, extended his right arm as far as it could go to catch the ball and then hit Isaiah Hartenstein with a pass for a layup -- all in one motion.

[{"selector":"#anim-b1b8a6e0-9775-4b7c-976d-f52073b33bfa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

George's elbow is feeling good again -- and it showed. He had 34 points, six assists and four steals in his return to the court to lift the Clippers to a stirring,

George hit 5 of 7 shots, including 3 of 4 3-pointers, in the third quarter, when he erupted for 20 of his points to help the Clippers

[{"selector":"#anim-e617fd06-7e04-433c-8b76-dd838c7becbe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

It was exactly what the Clippers had been missing since George last played on Dec. 22.

[{"selector":"#anim-e752b131-335e-4517-95d9-2f55caac285d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-45.98626773533675%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

"It's in the 90 percentile," George said of how strong his elbow is after letting it heal for much of the past three months. "But it's still part of the progression.

[{"selector":"#anim-aab462ca-6413-495a-afed-1e36e50198c1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

George's 34 points were the most ever by a player who had missed his team's previous 40-plus games within one season, according to Elias Sports Bureau research.

[{"selector":"#anim-9b40f756-eefd-485b-bbb3-7defa3e604ec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.19732431882569%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

World Cup 2022: Who has already qualified, play-off matches,

[{"selector":"#anim-4d80e16c-9475-4987-b643-0155d0c57780 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more