Paul George: Play-In Game Isn't 'Pat Bev vs the Clippers' or 'Pat Bev vs Paul George'

Paul George downplayed the Patrick Beverley storyline when the veteran guard faced off against his old team in the NBA play-in tournament.

George told reporters that he was not going through Pat. This isn't a Paul George vs. Pat Beverley match. This is not a Clippers vs Pat Beverly match up. I am not going to make that narrative.

The seventh-place Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the eighth-place Clippers on Tuesday in Minneapolis.

He might be carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder because of how he exited Los Angeles.

The Clippers weren't going to tender him the kind of money he wanted, so he wanted out.

"I’m thinkin' this contact extension is going to be easy, walk in and they throw me a number that I felt like was borderline disrespectful. So the conversation started with [president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank], and it was a heated little conversation, and L Frank is my guy. … Man, love him to death, that's my guy. And I looked him in his face and told him and my agent, man, L Frank knows he has to trade me. If he can't pay me, gotta trade me. From that point he told me [to] give me my teams, and Minnesota was in my top three."

There isn't any bad blood. George and Reggie Jackson praised the contributions of Beverley.

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif

Some of the Clippers' thoughts today on facing Minnesota in the play-in Tuesday.

Reggie Jackson on the Timberwolves and seeing Pat Beverley: pic.twitter.com/5nl0tbwQGF

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM

Paul George says he can see Pat Bev’s impact on the Wolves in how they play with energy and heart. He called Pat Bev their battery and engine. He says he told his close friend KAT just how much Pat Bev would help them.

In 57 games, he is averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebound and 4.6 assists. His honesty and confidence have rubbed off on a team that missed the playoffs for three straight years.

Karl-Anthony Towns said that when he is on the floor, and when he is on the bench, they have a different mentality.

The ultimate goal for Minnesota this season is to win a title. If the Wolves fail to qualify for the first round, it would be a good incentive for Beverley.