Paul George didn’t need to dance around the subject after the 76ers beat the Celtics. He went straight at the biggest reason his run in Philadelphia never clicked: his body.
That was the backdrop to his first game against the 76ers as an opponent after his offseason trade to Boston, a night that also got overshadowed by the clash between former teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. George’s split with the Clippers in 2024 was already public, and Philadelphia had later agreed to his contract demands. But after facing the team that once signed him, George laid out why the fit never fully came together.
“I’m healthy. That was the biggest challenge, the biggest hurdle my first two years I was here in Philly.
And then what I’ve learned is I’m a little bit better with more usage,” George said. “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.
Joe [Mazzulla] has integrated me right into the offense and allowed me to just be myself.”
George backed up the point with his performance. In the 76ers’ win over the Celtics, he posted a game-high 36 points, along with five rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. He shot 14-of-22 from the floor, 6-of-11 from deep and hit both of his free throws.
He entered Tuesday night having played nine games for Boston, logging a little over 30 minutes per game. Across that stretch, he had averaged 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from 3-point range and 80.8 percent from the line.
George is in year three of the four-year max deal the 76ers gave him, and that contract includes a player option for next season.
In Other News...
Neemias Queta Just Gave The Celtics A Real Embiid Answer
Neemias Queta has spent the season looking more and more like a useful piece for Boston, and his latest work against Philadelphia only strengthened that case. In the Celtics win over the 76ers, he chipped in 4 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while giving the team a sturdier presence in the middle, the kind of minutes that can matter against a frontcourt centerpiece like Joel Embiid.
What stood out was not just the size, but the discipline. Queta showed the benefits of his offseason development by moving with better control on defense and making smarter decisions as a passer, helping Boston keep Embiid from getting comfortable and preserving the kind of edge that comes with beating a direct conference rival. The result also helped the Celtics stay in first place in the Eastern Conference, which is exactly the sort of payoff they need from a young big finding his footing. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Forcing A Bigger Title Debate Than Fans Expected
Bostons early-season start has already pushed the Celtics into a bigger conversation than most people expected this soon. After the win over Philadelphia, they sit atop the Eastern Conference at 9-2, and the numbers back up what the eye test has suggested so far: this group has looked balanced, deep, and difficult to play against on both ends.
What makes the discussion more interesting is how complete the profile has been across the board. Basketball Reference has the Celtics near the top in offensive, defensive and net rating, a combination that usually belongs to teams with real championship traction rather than clubs still settling into November. It is early, of course, but Boston has done enough to make the title debate feel less like hype and more like a legitimate question. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Paul George Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Celtics head into their next stretch with a small but notable wrinkle on the injury report, as Paul George will sit out the upcoming game against Toronto because of an illness. It is a brief absence, but it comes at an awkward time for Boston, which has leaned on Georges steady production early this season and has seen him settle in as one of the teams most reliable options.
George had just been at the center of Bostons win over the 76ers, and his recent form has only reinforced how important he has become to the rotation. He has missed only one other game this season, so this will amount to a rare pause, with extra recovery time now built in before the Celtics see Dallas next. [Read more 🡒]