PHOENIX — His first basket came just 18 seconds into the second quarter, helping Paul George emerge from a mini slump in his first game of the season. His final basket came with 10:03 left in the game.

Despite a rough shooting night, the nine-time All-Star showed why the 76ers signed him to a four-year maximum salary deal this summer at age 34.

His presence alone makes the Sixers an improved team.

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

The Sixers built a seven-point buffer in the fourth quarter. But their lead shrank to one point with 1 minute and 40 seconds to play. Then Kevin Durant’s jumper with one minute left put Phoenix ahead, 116-115.

Tyrese Maxey dished out a pair of foul shots on the ensuing possession to set the score. But Durant, who scored 35 points for the Suns (6-1), responded with a layup to make it a 118-116 game with 24 seconds left.

George missed a 25-foot jumper with 3.1 seconds left, then Maxey failed to get a 3-pointer in time at the buzzer.

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

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And his presence cleared things up for Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 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 hit five 3-pointers, finished the game at center in place of Andre Drummond.

Go early

The Suns called a timeout with 6:53 left in the first quarter. George was noticeably tired as he walked to the couch. At the time, he had zero points while missing both of his shot attempts to go with turnovers.

He was eliminated by Eric Gordon. But a minutes restriction was always part of the equation.

“I think he’s feeling good,” Nick Nurse said before the game. “I think more of the conditioning aspect is something we should try to do. Don’t try to get him into the red zone too early. Try to keep that stint a little shorter early on.”

George returned to the match at 3:00 of the first match and replaced Maxey. He was called for a foul eight seconds later and picked up his second foul less than a minute later. George missed his third and fourth shot attempts on the ensuing possession and then turned to the ball on the next possession. He finished the quarter with zero points on 0-for-5 shooting and two turnovers.

After making his first basket early in the second quarter, George picked up his third foul moments later and was sent to the bench. He returned with 5:40 before intermission.

George scored his second basket with 1:44 left in the half. It happened while making an acrobatic layup while being fouled by Bradley Beal. He also made the free throw to put the Sixers up 61-58.

Finding rhythm

George found his rhythm and buried a three-pointer on the next possession. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder started a few of the Sixers’ drives by grabbing defensive rebounds, pushing the pace on the court and getting his team into their sets.

He scored 10 points in the second quarter on 3-for-4 shooting 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 control mixed with his 6-8 height and ability to create separation off the dribble. And then also…a great guy who comes from pin-downs and screens.

Budenholzer talked about athleticism, bursting to get to the paint and finish there, get to the foul line and get early 3-pointers in transition.

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

The early rust had completely disappeared in the third quarter. George stood out on both sides of the ball and was a vocal leader. But as part of his minutes restriction, he went to the bench after 4:55. But the Sixers stayed in the game before returning with 26.0 left in the third quarter, thanks in large part to Maxey’s 13 third-quarter points. The Suns grabbed a 94-93 cushion in the fourth.

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Joel Embiid remained sidelined in what the Sixers are calling left knee injury management.