After entering the NBA’s coronavirus health protocols, the Los Angeles Clippers were without Paul George for Friday’s must-win play-in game against New Orleans.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told reporters that the organization discovered George had entered the process on Friday morning.

On Thursday, he had been feeling ill.

George had a game-high 34 points in the Clippers’ play-in tournament opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Because of the setback, the Clippers will have to win the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in order to secure a first-round playoff matchup against Western Conference top seeds Phoenix.

The Clippers have contended with absences all season, according to Frank.

Due to injuries, George missed 51 games, including a damaged ligament in his right elbow. This season, he averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.

“This has been our season,” Frank said of a Clippers team that was without injured star Kawhi Leonard all season. “This has been our path.”