LOS ANGELES -- After burying five 3-pointers in the first half for the LA Clippers, Paul George was ruled out for the remainder of the second half against the San Antonio Spurs due to right knee soreness.

George was off to a hot start Saturday night, hitting 8 of 12 shots, including 5-for-8 from behind the arc, and having 21 points in 15 first-half minutes.

But the Clippers ruled George out for the remainder of the game at halftime. This comes just as Kawhi Leonard is making his way back into the mix. This game against the Spurs was Leonard's second game back since missing 12 straight games due to stiffness in his surgically repaired right knee.

The Clippers have had to deal with players in and out of the lineup for much of this season. George, though, has been one of the constants for the Clippers this season. He had only missed one prior game with a non-COVID illness and entered Saturday averaging 23.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

George, who carried the Clippers while Leonard was out, remained on the Clippers bench in uniform and engaged with his team during huddles. The Clippers were already without guard Luke Kennard, who sat out with a right calf strain.