PG 'super relieved' he and Kawhi stayed healthy after clearing protocols

Paul George is "super relieved" that he remained healthy along with teammate Kawhi Leonard after the pair missed two games each while in the league's COVID-19 protocols.

"We were playing so well, it was unfortunate that we had to take a hiatus, but safety's first," George told reporters, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, while speaking for the first time since clearing the protocols. "We acknowledge that first and foremost."

George and Leonard needed to quarantine due to contact tracing, forcing them into isolation for four days starting Monday. They missed Tuesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks, which snapped the Clippers' seven-game winning streak.

The duo combined for 50 points in its return Friday to help the Clippers rout the Orlando Magic, keeping the club a half-game back of the Utah Jazz for first place in the Western Conference.

Leonard said their absence presented an opportunity for others to take on a bigger role, and that he continued to stay up to date with head coach Tyronn Lue's tactics during his quarantine.

"Still trying to follow game plans with the Hawks and the last game, Miami," Leonard said. "Just talking to the coaches, trying to see just what our coverages are, just keeping my mind in the game."

The Clippers face the New York Knicks on Sunday, followed by a heavyweight clash against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and the rest of the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.