Clippers take control in second half to beat Thunder without Paul George

The image that returned Wednesday from the scan of Paul George's injured right knee provided about as good of news as the Los Angeles Clippers could have hoped: George's awkward land Tuesday after grabbing a rebound did not damage any ligaments – and the All-Star forward is not expected to need surgery, either. What isn't any clearer is whether George could be available during the playoffs. With only three games separating fourth through 12th in the Western Conference standings entering Thursday, there is no guarantee whether the Clippers — 127-105 winners over Oklahoma City on Thursday — will advance directly to a seven-game first-round series, or fall back into the play-in tournament. George is currently wearing a brace on his sprained right knee and using a crutch while he rests for the next two-tothree weeks, a timeline that is likely to result in George missing the rest of the regular season, which ends April 9.