BOSTON — Boston Celtics fans didn't roll out the red carpet for Paul George when he was traded to Beantown in July. Many were still upset by the shock of losing former Celtics star Jaylen Brown in the deal and getting back a 36-year-old wing (along with a few draft picks) from the rival Philadelphia 76ers. And while that consternation was justified, George has shown that he was much more than an afterthought in the stunning offseason move.
Through five games, the nine-time All-Star is averaging over 22 points per outing while shooting about 44 percent from 3-point land. The Celtics posted a 4-1 record in that span and most recently beat the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in a 125-111 victory at TD Garden. George logged 18 points, 8 assists, 6
rebounds, and a game-high 3 steals in 27 minutes of play during the NBA Cup group-play opener.
The fact that the future Hall of Famer can score in droves isn't a shock. The Celtics witnessed George's offensive prowess just last postseason when he was still on the Sixers. He torched them in multiple playoff games and shot a blistering 55 percent from deep in the first round.
Where George has surprised is on defense. He's averaged 5.8 deflections per game — the most of any player in the NBA so far — and impressed his new teammates on that all-important end of the floor.
“He’s really a complete player," Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard told Celtics Wire. "Obviously, I knew offensively he's gifted and can score on all three levels and make plays, but his defense is phenomenal. And I didn't know how good it was until I saw it up close.”
It's early in the season and the Celtics haven't faced the most formidable competition as of late (including recent wins versus the winless Brooklyn Nets and struggling Bulls), yet George's productivity on both sides of the ball remains a promising sign.
“He gets his hands on a lot of balls and is in passing lanes," Pritchard continued at the podium. "He wins at the margins and I think that's what's made him such a tremendous player for a long time, a two-way player.”
Pritchard wasn't the only member of the Celtics with that takeaway. Head coach Joe Mazzulla raved about what George can do following the Celtics' win on Boston Children’s Hospital Theme Night.
Joe Mazzulla spoke highly of Paul George and what he’s brought to the Celtics:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) October 31, 2026
“I think his impact goes beyond what's happening on the offensive end. I think his impact in the locker room, his coachability, his open-mindedness, his humility, his willingness to do whatever it… pic.twitter.com/3GzNjdjxjv
"I think his impact goes beyond what's happening on the offensive end," Mazzulla praised. "I think his impact in the locker room, his coachability, his open-mindedness, his humility, his willingness to do whatever it takes, taking care of his body to be on the floor for us, his communication in the film room. Defensively, his ball pressure, his activity, his deflections. And then you get to the offensive piece...He just has the ability to score within the flow of the offense."
The biggest question surrounding George's arrival in Boston didn't necessarily pertain to his game — it was about his health.
However, the oft-injured vet has played in all five games for the Green Team and scored in double figures in every one of them. The next opportunity to prove his durability will come soon when the Celtics encounter their second back-to-back set of games in the young season. Boston takes on the 2-3 Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon and then the 5-1 Houston Rockets on Monday night.
"He wants to be better," Mazzulla described of George. "He wants to do more...So, I think you're seeing that, and I think you'll continue to see that from him. And he's been great for us in all areas."
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Payton Pritchard reveals what has surprised him most about Paul George after Celtics win vs. Bulls
