bostonglobe
The boos that greeted Jayson Tatum during pregame introductions in Philadelphia on Tuesday night were deafening and sustained, a clear message from a fan base eager to support their new favorite, Jaylen Brown. The offseason trade that brought Brown to the 76ers had heightened tensions, and the crowd was determined to remind Tatum of his former teammate's defection. Yet, in their fervor to jeer Tatum, the fans barely acknowledged the introduction of another former Sixer, Paul George, whose two-year stint in Philadelphia seemed to have been forgotten.
That relative silence spoke volumes: indifference can cut deeper than outright hostility. George, the centerpiece of the trade that sent Brown to Philadelphia, is a nine-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA forward, a consummate all-around player. But on this night, he was relegated to the undercard of the Tatum-Brown main event. However, George turned in a performance to remember, leading all scorers with 36 points in the Celtics' 123-101 win.
His virtuoso display came when it mattered most. With the game tied at 76 and four minutes left in the third quarter, George spearheaded a 26-3 run that erased a game-long deficit and swung momentum decisively in Boston's favor. He dominated the fourth quarter, allowing Tatum to rest on the bench, and his final 3-pointer served as the dagger, prompting a Sixers timeout and eventual surrender.
Key Analysis
While the buildup focused on the frosty relationship between Tatum and Brown—highlighted by Brown's minimal reaction to Tatum's pregame handshake attempt—the game itself revealed a larger narrative. As the season progresses, personnel matters will outweigh personal dramas. Both teams are retooled and reimagined, and early returns suggest the trade could benefit both sides. The 76ers, despite the loss, remain a formidable force in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics, led by George's seamless integration, look like genuine contenders.
George's primal scream after his dagger three wasn't directed at his former team—he insists his Philadelphia teammates remain his brothers—but rather a release of the joy he's found in Boston. 'That was fun,' he said. 'But I think the most fun is the camaraderie we have. Just being around these guys, the locker room, the flights, that's the most fun that I've had in a while. It's just a good group of guys out there competing together, and then it transfers on the court.'
For Boston, the victory was a statement. Tatum's 11 first-quarter points set the tone early, and George's 17 first-half points helped build an 11-point halftime lead. But it was George's fourth-quarter takeover that sealed the deal, showcasing the depth and versatility of this rebuilt roster. As for the Tatum-Brown beef, it was merely a subplot in a game that could be a playoff preview between two Eastern Conference heavyweights.
Originally reported by bostonglobe.