LOS ANGELES — With a pregame news conference to rival an appearance by Punxsutawney Phil, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue shed little light on the prognosis for Paul George’s return.

The seven-time All-Star forward had an MRI earlier in the day for the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, an injury that has sidelined him for 30 games and counting since Christmas, when he initially was ruled out.

With Clippers fans waiting with bated breath for news on whether George might reemerge on the court, Lue’s message – which he repeated five times – was concise, if cloudy.

“Just that he feels better,” Lue said. “He’s making progress, but he’s gonna need more time.”

Did Lue have any sense how much more time that might be? “No sir, just know he’s feeling better. And that’s the most important thing.”

Did that mean George – who fans saw doing a backflip into a pool in an Instagram video posted Friday by his fiancee – is able to do more physically as he rehabs? “I’m not sure about all that,” Lue said. “I got the results and all I know is he’s feeling better and that’s the most important thing.”

turns out doing a backflip into a pool does NOT mean you are cleared for all physical activity. i promise to never become a doctor https://t.co/apTGgeMBrH

— Natasha Dye (@natashadye) February 26, 2022

Is there still a chance George might return this season? “Not sure. I mean, the biggest thing is he’s feeling better and he’s making progress, the MRI revealed, and we just gotta go from there.”

Even though George is “feeling better,” how does the news have him feeling, emotionally? “Every competitor wants to play, you know, and so I’m bummed out too,” Lue said. “But, like I said, hope is stronger than fear and, like I said, the most important thing is that he’s feeling better, so that’s what we’re focused on.”

Before he was ruled out, George was the Clippers’ focal point without fellow All-Star Kawhi Leonard in the lineup. George was leading the team in points (24.7), assists (5.5) and steals (2.0), and was second in rebounds (7.1 rebounds) through 26 games, when the team announced he would be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, “at which point next steps will be determined.”

UCL tears are more common in baseball and often lead to Tommy John surgery and about a year’s worth of rehab and recovery, but such operations are exceedingly rare for basketball players, according to Dr. Alan Beyer, a sports medicine specialist and executive medical director at Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine.

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Entering Friday’s game against the Lakers, the Clippers were 13-16 since George was ruled out long-term on Dec. 25.

George is one of a quartet of injured Clippers with indefinite return dates; Leonard is rehabbing after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, newly acquired wing Norman Powell is recovering from a fractured bone in his left foot and rookie guard Jason Preston is making his way back from surgery to repair ligaments in his right foot.

Preston – who has bulked up considerably while rehabbing and lately has been seen before practice and games doing shooting and dribbling drills – also is “feeling better,” Lue reported, with a chuckle.

“Not sure, I know he’s feeling better,” Lue said. “Same thing. The topic for today, the slogan of the day: He’s feeling better.”

How’s Jason Preston doing, you ask? pic.twitter.com/OIBlIBbdtI

— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) January 17, 2022