Paul George knew exactly what was coming - and he made the Milwaukee Bucks pay for it.
In a game that felt personal, George turned back the clock and lit up his former coach’s defense for 32 points, tying a franchise record with nine made threes in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 139-122 win over the short-handed Bucks on Tuesday night. The performance was vintage PG-13 - efficient, explosive, and, perhaps most notably, calculated.
“I just know Doc,” George said postgame, referencing his time under Doc Rivers during their shared stint with the Clippers in 2019-20. “I know his coverages.
I know his play calling. I know what he’s looking for.”
That familiarity played out like a cheat code on the court. George was locked in from the jump, finishing 11-of-21 from the field and a blistering 9-of-15 from beyond the arc.
No matter what defensive look Rivers threw at him - switches, traps, help rotations - George had the answer. He dissected Milwaukee’s schemes possession after possession, forcing a Bucks defense already missing Giannis Antetokounmpo to scramble and stretch.
And when George wasn’t punishing them from deep, Joel Embiid was carving them up inside.
Embiid set the tone early with 18 of his 29 points coming in the first quarter, asserting his dominance in the paint and forcing the Bucks to collapse defensively - which, in turn, opened up the perimeter for George and company. It was a classic inside-out offensive clinic from Philly, the kind of balance that makes this team dangerous when all cylinders are firing.
Tyrese Maxey kept the engine running with his usual burst, contributing 22 points and nine assists. His ability to push pace and keep the ball moving ensured that the Sixers’ offense never stagnated. And then there was second-year guard Jared McCain, who picked the perfect time to find his rhythm.
McCain, who’s been searching for consistency, came alive in the fourth quarter. He knocked down four triples in the final frame and finished with 17 points, helping stretch the lead to as many as 22 and putting the game out of reach. It was the kind of confidence-boosting performance that could pay dividends for Philly’s second unit down the stretch.
On the other side, Milwaukee was left searching for answers - and searching for Giannis. With Antetokounmpo sidelined by a calf strain, Myles Turner stepped up with 31 points, doing everything he could to keep the Bucks within striking distance. But without their MVP and with their defense in disarray, it was an uphill battle all night.
The Sixers shot over 50% from the field and turned the ball over just six times - a clean, efficient offensive showing that left little room for Milwaukee to claw back. For Rivers, it was a rough night against a player who knows his system inside and out. For Philly, it was a statement win that helps them regain momentum in a crowded Eastern Conference race.
And for Paul George, it was a reminder: when he’s healthy, locked in, and knows the playbook on both sides of the ball - he’s still one of the most dangerous players in the league.