Philadelphia star questions Clippers fans’ reaction in his first game back in Los Angeles.

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George didn’t hold back his thoughts after facing a wave of boos from Los Angeles Clippers fans upon his return to the Crypto.com Arena. The nine-time NBA All-Star, who played for the Clippers from 2019 to 2024, expressed his confusion over the hostility he received during the Sixers’ recent matchup against his former team.

An Unexpected Reaction from Clippers Fans

Though George received a tribute video honoring his contributions to the Clippers, the reception from the crowd was far from warm. As boos filled the arena, George addressed the reaction, calling it “stupid” and questioning why fans had turned on him.

“I mean, it’s stupid. I was a free agent,” George commented, visibly frustrated. “It wasn’t something that I demanded a trade or went against the team. They presented a team-friendly offer, and I did what was best for me.” For George, it was a straightforward decision based on career progression, though he admitted he felt some fans still respected his tenure. “There were cheers, those are the ones I played for. There were boos, I didn’t get it,” he added.

Clippers’ Choice and George’s Departure

George’s response highlighted that he did not leave under contentious circumstances. At the end of his contract, the Clippers retained his Bird rights, meaning they could have matched the four-year, $211 million offer he accepted from Philadelphia. However, the Clippers decided not to match this, and George accepted the offer from the Sixers.

The Clippers’ decision left George questioning why fans felt justified in their response. “At that point, it’s on the team,” he reflected. Some analysts pointed out that the Clippers, even with George, were not title favorites in the stacked Western Conference, so his departure did not drastically alter their championship trajectory.

On the Court: Clippers Triumph as Sixers Struggle Early in the Season

Despite George’s notable performance, scoring 18 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, the Sixers ultimately fell to the Clippers, 110-98. The loss was the latest in a rough start to the season for Philadelphia, who dropped to a 1-6 record following the defeat. It was only George’s second game of the season due to a preseason knee injury, and he led the Sixers alongside Kelly Oubre in an effort to overcome the challenging crowd atmosphere.

As George reflects on the surprising boos from Clippers fans, he remains focused on his role with the Sixers. Despite the response, he aims to help Philadelphia regain momentum and prove his decision to join them was the right one.