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The Philadelphia 76ers didn't part with Paul George due to a shortage of talent or a poor fit. The decision came when Jaylen Brown became available, and with Brown fresh off an All-NBA Second Team season in which he averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, the 76ers seized the opportunity to upgrade their roster by sending George to the Boston Celtics, fulfilling Boston's desire to shake things up.
However, in the first matchup between the two teams in the 2026-27 season, it was the Celtics who emerged victorious. George stood out as the brightest star in a game featuring marquee names such as Brown, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James. He poured in 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting from the field and delivered a dominant fourth quarter to seal a 123-101 win for Boston.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse, who coached George personally for two seasons, was not surprised to see him flourish with the Celtics. "First of all, give him credit. He's pretty crafty at getting open. We've known that and seen that," Nurse said of George, per Zach Ciavolella of Philly Sports Network. "But he was doing a lot of changes of direction, push-offs, those kinds of things, to get the ball into really good areas."
George scored 14 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, showcasing his full offensive repertoire. His slick handle allowed him to reach his spots with ease, his strength punished mismatches in the post, and his outside shot remained pure. With the 76ers, George had to play a supporting role behind Maxey and Embiid, which led to a dip in his numbers, and he also battled injury issues. Nevertheless, he demonstrated late last season and in the playoffs that he still has plenty left in the tank. Now, the Celtics are reaping the rewards of their faith in one of the best small forwards of his generation.
Key Analysis
George's performance underscores his enduring value as an elite scorer, even as he transitions to a new team. The Celtics' gamble on him appears to be paying off, while the 76ers' decision to move him for Brown reflects a strategic shift. Nurse's comments highlight the respect George commands around the league, and his ability to take over games remains a significant asset for Boston.
Originally reported by yahoo.