PHOENIX – His first basket didn't come until 18 seconds into the second quarter, allowing Paul George to break out of a minor slump in his first game of the season. His last basket came with 10:03 left in the game.

Despite a tough shooting night, the nine-time All-Star showed why the 76ers gave him a four-year, max-salary contract at age 34 this summer.

His presence alone makes the Sixers an improved team.

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While his presence was welcome in his season debut, it didn't help the Sixers lose their third straight game. Monday night's 118-116 loss at the Phoenix Suns dropped them to 1-5 heading into Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. This game will be a homecoming for George, who spent the last five seasons with the Clippers.

The Sixers built a seven-point cushion in the fourth quarter. But their lead dwindled to one point with 1 minute and 40 seconds left in the game. Then Kevin Durant's jump shot gave Phoenix a 116-115 lead with a minute left.

Tyrese Maxey made two foul throws on the ensuing possession to tie the game. But Durant, who scored a game-high 35 points for the Suns (6-1), responded with a layup to make the score 118-116 with 24 seconds left.

George missed a 23-foot jumper with 3.1 seconds left, and Maxey failed to hit a three-pointer in time at the buzzer.

George finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in 31:32 minutes of playing time after missing the first five games after hyperextending his left knee and sustaining a bone bruise on Oct. 14. He didn't have the best shooting night, making 4 of 14 shots – including 1 of 5 on threes. But George showed all the intangibles.

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And his presence took the pressure off Tyrese Maxey, who scored 32 points on his 24th birthday. Kyle Lowry (13 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (11 points) and Guerschon Yabusele (19 points) were the other double-digit scorers. Yabusele, who made five three-pointers, finished the game at center in place of Andre Drummond.

It starts early

The Suns called a timeout with 6:53 left in the first quarter. When George went to the bank, he was visibly tired. At this point he had zero points as he missed both shot attempts resulting in a turnover.

He was replaced by Eric Gordon. But a minute limit has always been a given.

“I think he feels good,” Nick Nurse said before the game. “I think we need to try more on the conditioning aspect. Try not to put him in the red zone too early. Try to keep those stints a little shorter, especially in the beginning.”

George returned to the game at 3:00 of the first period to replace Maxey. Eight seconds later he was called for a foul, and less than a minute later he suffered his second foul. On the ensuing possession, George missed his third and fourth shot attempts and then turned around on the ensuing possession. He finished the quarter with zero points on 0-for-5 shooting and two turnovers.

After George made his first basket at the start of the second quarter, he suffered his third foul shortly afterwards and was sent to the bench. He returned with 5:40 left before halftime.

George scored his second basket with 1:44 left in the half. There was an acrobatic layup when Bradley Beal was fouled. He also made the free throw, putting the Sixers up 61-58.

Find rhythm

George found his rhythm and sank a three-pointer on the next possession. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound player started some of the Sixers' attacks by grabbing defensive rebounds, increasing the tempo on the court and getting his team into sets.

He scored 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting in the second quarter and grabbed three defensive rebounds.

“His ability to score at all three levels,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said of how George’s presence helps the Sixers. “His ball handling coupled with his 6-8 height and ability to create some separation off the dribble. And then also… a great guy who leaves pin-downs and screens.”

Budenholzer talked about athleticism, striving to get to the ball and finish there, get to the foul line and make early threes in transition.

“I think he’s just a unique, gifted player,” he said. “It’s like he can basically do anything offensively. And he can also fit into the flow of a team. He kind of picks his spots and seems like a great teammate. He has simply been one of the greats in our league for a long time.”

The early rust had completely disappeared by the third quarter. George stood out on both sides and was a vocal leader. But as part of his minutes restriction, he went to the bench after 4:55 minutes. But the Sixers stayed in the game before coming back with 26.0 points remaining in the third quarter, thanks in large part to Maxey's 13 third quarter points. The Suns entered the fourth round with a 94-93 lead.

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Joel Embiid remained sidelined due to what the Sixers describe as treatment for a left knee injury.