Paul George’s Game 5 performance retired Pandemic P nickname for all time

Paul George gets a bad rap with the nickname Pandemic P. The slander no longer stands as the Clippers star proved himself again in Game 5 against the Suns.

Take the term “Pandemic P” and put it out of your vocabulary. Paul George deserves some respect on his name after his Game 5 performance against the Suns.

George put up a career-high 41 points with his back against the wall, including 20 in the third quarter alone. He went 10-of-12 from the field in the second half.

A loss would have eliminated the Clippers from the playoffs. He made sure they got the 116-102 victory in Phoenix to extend the series.

In addition to the scoring, George had 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Paul George is giving the Clippers life despite the odds

The Clippers have no business being back in the series, now down 2-3. They went into Game 5 without Kawhi Leonard for the seventh-straight game. The universe added insult to injury with center Ivica Zubac ruled out as well.

There was every reason to lay down and lose. Los Angeles had already proven resilient in the playoffs, but Leonard’s absence was always going to catch up to them. Game 5 seemed like the moment.

Instead, George once again carried the Clippers.

Sure, George isn’t perfect. His missed free throws were part of the meltdown in Game 2. He, like everyone on the floor, was terrible in the final quarter of Game 4.

Just don’t act like George hasn’t done enough to keep his team alive throughout the postseason. Despite a few short rough patches, he has delivered above and beyond.

The much-maligned guard has 20 points in all 18 playoff games so far. He’s in the company of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant with that streak.

The Pandemic P label suggests George shrinks in the biggest moments. The evidence of the 2021 NBA Playoffs suggests the opposite.

The Clippers still have to win another two games in a row to advance. They’re unlikely to achieve that feat, but regardless of the outcome, George has already proven he’s the man.