Paul George’s first preseason game against the 76ers brought a familiar mix of old faces, old bonds and a lopsided result at TD Garden.
The Celtics rolled to a 144-106 win over Philadelphia, with George making his unofficial Boston debut and finishing with 13 points, five steals and five rebounds. The Sixers were without LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jaylen Brown, who did not play despite going through his pregame workout.
Afterward, George spent his time talking about the people he left behind in Philadelphia as much as the game itself. He made clear that the relationship with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe is still very much intact.
“I love those guys,” George said. “Jo, Tyrese, VJ, JE.
I think these long-lasting relationships that you build along the way of this journey here. VJ calls me almost every other week.
I talk to him. Tyrese has called me a lot of times throughout the summer.
I'll go back to Philly to see my family. Jo lives about five-ten minutes from me.
So, I see him. Our kids are in the same schools.
So, we see each other. So, there's still a brotherhood over there, so it was great to see those guys and now compete against them.”
Edgecombe led the Sixers with 19 points, while Jabari Walker added 14 points and six rebounds. Labaron Philon Jr. chipped in 14 points and seven assists off the bench. For Boston, Payton Pritchard led the way with 25 points off the bench, and Jayson Tatum finished with 23 points, four threes, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
George also spoke specifically about Edgecombe, recalling the time he spent with the rookie guard last season and the relationship they formed.
“I spent a ton of time with VJ, and hopefully, it's just an impact if I help him in any way become a better basketball player, a better person. I love the kid,” George said. “We spent a ton of time together, and if it's anything that he took away from it is I guess just being genuine, truly, and be there for him in any way I could, and I thought I tried to give it everything I had when I could, and be available when I could for those guys.”
The teams will meet again on Friday, when the Sixers host the Celtics in their preseason finale.
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