BOSTON — Boston Celtics wing Paul George has been a capable, and often terrific, player over the course of his 17 seasons in the NBA. However, injuries have popped up throughout his career and derailed his momentum. George has always bounced back, but he'd prefer to simply stay on the court rather than leave and return to action every few months or so.
Because of his injury history, Boston could take a cautious approach with the 36-year-old, especially on back-to-backs. Moreover, the C's will play 16 back-to-back sets of games this season, which is tied for the most in the NBA. George isn't taking things easy to start the 2026-27 campaign, though. The nine-time All-Star suited up for showdowns with the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets on Monday
night and Tuesday night, respectively. He even logged 36 minutes in the most recent contest to help the Green Team secure a 125-124 victory in overtime.
"I feel great," George replied in the locker room when asked if he'll participate in back-to-backs moving forward. "Again, I think, knock on wood, those days are behind me. I've been feeling really good health-wise."
Since George was first introduced to the Boston media in September, he's maintained that he feels physically strong and, perhaps most importantly, healthier than he's been in previous years to start the season. The future Hall of Famer wants to keep it that way.
"The main goal is to get to the end of the year and be healthy at the end of the year," he stated. "So whatever it is, I'm ready for (it). Whether it's playing back-to-backs, whether it's being smart approaching back-to-backs. We'll get to that when the time is there. But, I feel good. I feel good out there. We'll see how I feel tomorrow."
Although George was good to go versus the Nets, it's worth noting that the game just a night before ended in a blowout. That allowed George and the rest of Boston's starters to record under 30 minutes and be fresh for the second leg of the back-to-back.
The Celtics could aim to replicate that pattern on Sunday afternoon when they face the undermanned Orlando Magic in Florida. A quick win there would provide George and company with some much-needed rest ahead of a Monday evening matchup with the 5-0 Houston Rockets. But, Boston has historically struggled on the road in Orlando and has won just one regular-season game at the Kia Center in the last three years.
Before any of that occurs, the 3-1 C's need to handle business at home in NBA Cup group play when they host the 1-4 Chicago Bulls on Friday night at TD Garden.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Paul George on his approach to back-to-backs with Boston Celtics
