Nine-time All-Star combo forward Paul George was the marquee free agent addition for the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. His addition helped form a new "Big Three" in the Eastern Conference, as he's slated to suit up alongside All-Star now-teammates Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

But he has yet to make his regular season for the club, as the oft-injured 34-year-old is already hurt to kick off the 2024-25 season.

Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the 6-foot-8 superstar continues to recuperate from a left knee bone bruise incurred during a preseason matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. He is set to miss Philadelphia's upcoming two-game road trip, but the Sixers will supply a progress report for his recovery timeline next week.

Without Embiid or George, the Sixers were easy targets for the Milwaukee Bucks in their season opener on Wednesday night, falling 124-109.

Maxey led the way, scoring a deeply inefficient 25 points on 10-of-31 shooting from the field (2-of-9 from 3-point range) and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line, while also grabbing six rebounds, passing for three assists, swiping a steal and blocking one shot. Several of the Sixers' other newly signed free agent additions also had solid first nights with the team. Andre Drummond, making his return to Philadelphia after a two-year stint with the Chicago Bulls, scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while starting for Embiid. Combo forward Caleb Martin, who surprisingly came off the bench for the Sixers, scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.