Joe Mazzulla didn’t hide what he thinks of Paul George after watching the veteran wing get rolling in a Celtics uniform.
“He’s got great instincts. Great instincts, great technique, great positioning,” Mazzulla said, via Joe Postrade of Sporting News. “It’s something he takes pride in, but I do think it’s very contagious.”
George made his preseason debut in Boston’s 144-106 win over the 76ers and finished with 13 points. Philadelphia did not have its biggest names on the floor, but it was still a solid first look for George as the Celtics begin sorting out life after trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.
That move shifts the spotlight even more onto Jayson Tatum, and Tatum said he already sees value in having George around.
“Just to be able to be his teammate and learn from him and take on the role of any kind of mentor or assistance to myself and other guys,” Tatum said. “I obviously watched him play for a long time. It’s cool to be a part of it.”
In Miami, the backup point guard spot suddenly looks like something worth watching. Dru Smith entered camp as the presumed favorite behind Davion Mitchell, but a calf injury has kept him out of the preseason, opening the door for rookies Tre Donaldson and Ryan Conwell.
Amir Motameni of Sports Illustrated sees Donaldson as the steadier true point guard, while Conwell has shown more scoring punch.
Conwell’s best showing came against Minnesota, when he put up 22 points, nine assists, five rebounds and no turnovers. He also scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Donaldson has looked composed running the offense without demanding the ball all the time, and that skill set could play well on a roster that already includes Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Smith still brings an edge with his knowledge of Erik Spoelstra’s system and his defense. But the longer he sits, the more chances the rookies get to make that decision tougher.
The Thunder also have a division they can’t simply brush aside, even if the NBA’s old division importance doesn’t carry the same weight it once did.
Oklahoma City went 12-4 against the Northwest Division last season, and Ivan White of Sports Illustrated says staying strong in those games could matter a lot in another push for the No. 1 seed.
The Thunder’s division includes Denver, Minnesota, Portland and Utah, and those 16 matchups still make up a meaningful slice of the schedule.
They also come with some history. Oklahoma City faced both Denver and Minnesota on its way through the 2025 championship run, and those games are unlikely to get any easier.
In Other News...
Joe Mazzulla May Be Building A More Reliable Celtics Offense
The Celtics opened the preseason with wins over Cleveland and Philadelphia, and the early signs have centered less on shot-making than on the way Joe Mazzulla wants this group to manufacture extra possessions. Even when the offense was uneven, Boston found ways to stay in control by leaning into activity on the glass and pressure that turned into easier chances the other way.
For a team that already knows how to score when its rhythm is right, the more interesting part is whether those habits can make the offense steadier when it is not. Mazzulla has emphasized offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers as part of the formula, and that approach could end up mattering as much as shot selection once the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]
Paul George Just Sent Celtics Fans A Clear Jayson Tatum Message
Paul George is already framing his Celtics partnership with Jayson Tatum in pretty clear terms as Boston gets a first look at the pairing under Joe Mazzulla. After their encouraging preseason debut together, Georges message was less about sorting out pecking order and more about fit, with the veteran wing signaling he understands where the offense is headed and what kind of burden Tatum is expected to carry moving forward.
Georges view of the arrangement also gives Celtics fans a glimpse of how Boston hopes to balance its top-end talent. Rather than trying to crowd Tatum out of the spotlight, George is embracing a supporting role that is built around easing pressure, helping defensively and doing the little things that keep possessions alive. The bigger question now is how naturally that plan translates once the games start to matter and the Celtics push deeper into next season. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Face A Costly Payton Pritchard Decision Fast
Payton Pritchards rise has put the Celtics in a familiar spot: a productive homegrown guard suddenly gets expensive, and the front office has to decide how much future flexibility it is willing to give up. He became eligible for an extension on Oct. 1, and the timing matters because Boston already knows what Pritchard has become after his Sixth Man of the Year season in 2024-25 and career-best numbers in 2025-26.
The pressure is on because the window to strike a deal closes before the 2026-27 season begins, and if the sides pass on that, the conversation shifts to a very different market next summer. Pritchard is already under contract through the 2027-28 season, but the longer Boston waits, the more leverage he could gain, leaving the Celtics to weigh short-term certainty against a pricier road ahead. [Read more 🡒]