Paul George didn’t ease into his Celtics debut. He took over it.
In Boston’s first game of the 2026-27 NBA season against the Pistons, George looked like the kind of player the Celtics were willing to let breathe in a way the 76ers never quite did. He poured in 38 points, grabbed five rebounds, handed out three assists and piled up five steals, knocking down 12 of 21 shots and 7 of 12 from deep. He finished with just two fewer shot attempts than Jayson Tatum and, for stretches, looked like the best player on the floor.
That’s a sharp change from how things played out in Philadelphia. When George signed with the 76ers in the summer of 2024, the expectation was that he’d be the team’s second option.
But with Tyrese Maxey on the rise and Joel Embiid still dominating, George eventually slid into a more supporting role. His numbers dipped, and injuries kept chipping away at his standing in the rotation.
Now in Boston, the setup looks different. The Celtics, after moving past Jaylen Brown, appear ready to give George a bigger lane as Tatum’s top sidekick.
He’s 36, so nobody is expecting a sudden leap back to peak All-NBA Paul George. But if he can keep producing as a two-way force, he has a chance to push back on the idea that he’s already washed.
The biggest difference, at least early, is freedom. Boston is letting him play a larger role, while Philadelphia never really built the offense around him the same way.
The 76ers didn’t exactly force him into the background, but the pecking order was obvious almost immediately. Even last season, there were stretches when it felt like then-rookie VJ Edgecombe was getting a bigger share of the action.
For George, that matters. His time in Philadelphia was defined by being slotted into a box, and this opening night was a reminder of what happens when that box gets bigger.
The Celtics are trying to prove plenty of people wrong this season, and George looks like he wants the same thing. Now he gets to do it as a clear-cut Robin in Boston.
In Other News...
76ers Already Have A Joel Embiid Problem They Couldnt Hide
The season opener offered a reminder that the 76ers biggest question may not be about their stars, but about what happens when Joel Embiid has to take a breather. Against the Knicks, Philadelphia looked exposed behind him as Adem Bona and Jabari Walker had a tough time dealing with Andre Drummond, a matchup that quickly turned into a problem the Sixers could not paper over for long. Injuries already have thinned the center group, and the team had to get creative just to survive stretches without its anchor in the paint.
Philadelphias depth chart at the position now feels like something worth watching closely, especially if the early-season rotation has to lean on stopgap answers more than expected. The Sixers can live with a lot when Embiid is on the floor, but the opener showed how quickly the matchup can tilt once he is not, and it left an obvious question hanging over the roster: whether this team will need to find more reliable help at center before those minutes decide a game again. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Nurse Still Has A Knicks Grudge The 76ers Havent Settled
The 76ers have already made their presence felt against New York once this season, walking out of Madison Square Garden with a 106-100 win that spoiled the Knicks ring and banner ceremony. For Philadelphia, it was more than just an early-season road victory. It was the kind of result that still carries some extra edge for a team that has spent time looking back at what happened against the Knicks in the playoffs.
Nick Nurse has not completely let go of that loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the frustration around it still lingers as the two teams measure themselves again. Philadelphia has also reworked its roster with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in the mix, giving the club more ways to navigate the season if Joel Embiid misses time. Even so, the Knicks remain a familiar source of unfinished business for a coach who clearly has not moved on from the last postseason meeting. [Read more 🡒]
LeBron And VJ Edgecombe Gave Sixers Fans A First Real Glimpse
LeBron James got his first taste of Philadelphia as a 76er in the season opener, and the night came with plenty of stage-setting before the game even tipped off. The Knicks held their championship celebration, but the 76ers answered by turning the second half into their own showcase and leaving with a 106-100 win over New York, with James contributing across the board in his debut.
For Sixers fans, the more eye-catching part may have been the early chemistry between James and VJ Edgecombe, who shared a postgame handshake after the final buzzer. It was only one game, but it offered a first real glimpse of how a veteran centerpiece and a new teammate might fit together as Philadelphia tries to build momentum around its new-look roster. [Read more 🡒]