The Clippers added nine new players this season.

Yet, two familiar faces led the Clippers. Norman Powell had a game-high 26 points, his seventh straight game with 20-plus points, while James Harden added 18 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Derrick Jones Jr., who took over George’s starting role, finished with 14 points.

George had spurned the Clippers extension offer and after negotiations stalled, he signed a four-year, $212 million max deal with the Sixers. He said he anticipated an emotional start to the game.

“I think the beginning will be the toughest part,” George told reporters at shootaround early in the day. “You know, saying hi to everyone. Kinda taking myself away from the competitive side for a little bit and just enjoying seeing people that I spent time with here.

“Then after that, it’s throw the ball out there, throw the ball up in the air, it’s go time, and just forget about it and focus on what the now is and the present is and that’s being a Philadelphia 76er and try to win a game.”

The Clippers didn’t get swept up in the emotion of seeing their former teammate. They were all business in winning their second straight game and their second at Intuit Dome.

They held on to a double-digit lead.

Blowing late-game leads had become something of a trend this season, pushing their first five games down to the wire. Not this time.

After leading by 16 points at the end of the third quarter, the Clippers didn’t fold. They pushed their lead to 22 (103-81) with six minutes remaining in the game. The rest was easy as the Sixers didn’t mount much of a challenge.

Kelly Oubre finished with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, Caleb Martin had 14 points and Tyrese Maxey 12 points

There wasn’t any public interaction before the game between Kawhi Leonard and George, who together for five years were the leaders of the 213 Era, but George insisted the two remain close.

“That’s still my guy, I still talk to him. He’s still one of the closest people I am with to this day in this league. We still talk. We still hang out. Nothing’s changed,” George said earlier Wednesday. “Our families are close. Nothing’s changed outside of that.”