Paul George makes Clippers debut Thursday vs. Pelicans

Paul George is back.

The six-time All-Star will make his Los Angeles Clippers debut Thursday versus the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Doc Rivers announced.

Rivers said George, 29, will be on a "visual" minutes restriction, according to ESPN's Royce Young.

Those hoping to see George play alongside L.A.'s other major offseason addition, forward Kawhi Leonard, will have to wait a little while longer. Leonard will sit out the second half of the back-to-back to limit the burden on his ailing left knee after playing Wednesday against the Houston Rockets.

Through nine seasons - seven with the Indiana Pacers and the past two with the Oklahoma City Thunder - George has established himself as one of the top two-way players in the game. The 6-foot-8 forward has averaged 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals for his career while playing just under 34 minutes per game.

Starting point guard Patrick Beverley will also sit due to a sore left calf, while usual starting shooting guard Landry Shamet is sidelined with a high ankle sprain.

The Clippers enter Thursday's tilt with a 7-4 record, good for fifth in the Western Conference. With George making his season debut, the team is inching closer to boasting its full contingent for the first time in 2019-20.