Going into Tuesday’s Celtics-76ers game, the story was Jayson Tatum vs. Jaylen Brown. Then, Paul George stole the show.
In his return to Philadelphia, George lit up his former team with 36 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 14/22 from the field and 6/11 from three.
George talked to NBC’s NBA Showtime crew after the game about how comfortable he is in Boston.
“I’m a little bit better with more usage and that’s no knock to how my opportunities here with Philly,” George said. “Quite frankly, I wasn’t
healthy to take on the workload that I feel I’m at my best at. Here in Boston, they gave me an opportunity to come out here and play and be myself.”
Paul George: "I’m a little bit better with more usage and that’s no knock to how my opportunities here with Philly…quite frankly I wasn’t healthy to take on the workload that I feel I’m at my best at. Here in Boston they gave me an opportunity to come out here and play and be myself"
— Oh No He Didn’t 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) November 11, 2026
George has talked a lot about how much he’s loved Boston and how he feels healthy early in his Celtics tenure.
His play has been better than even the biggest optimists could have expected.
MOST 35-POINT GAMES BY A CELTIC, Age 36+ 2 – Paul George, 38 at DET, 36 at PHIL, 2026 1 – John Havlicek, 38 at WASH, 4/11/76 1 – Robert Parish, 38 vs. DEN, 12/8/89
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) November 11, 2026
In the marquee matchup, he was getting to his spots and knocking down shots througout the game.
“I thought he was great,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s just what we need. We need him to play two-way basketball and be great. And you kind of saw that there, especially at the start of the fourth quarter.”
Joe Mazzulla on Paul George, who finished with a game-high 36 points: “I thought he was great… That’s just what we need. We need him to play two-way basketball and be great. And you kind of saw that there, especially at the start of the fourth quarter.” https://t.co/neFe7wkzD3
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) November 11, 2026
George has proven to be a huge part of what the Celtics want to do this season on both sides of the floor. His shooting, both from inside and outside the arc, and secondary playmaking have been a big part of the offense. While he didn’t have any steals on Tuesday, his deflections and ability to cause turnovers have played a big part of one of the best defenses in the NBA.
He is a huge part of this group and after another monster game in front of a national audience, proved it once again. George has flashed back to his prime in a big way to start off his Celtics tenure and shown he remains a really good player, though C’s fans shouldn’t be too surprised by this after last season’s first round.
