Before the 76ers went on to score a big dub and spoil the defending champions' ring night, the Celtics duked it out with the Pistons for the first game of the 2026-27 NBA season. Paul George, who was a part of the team in the previous two campaigns, made his debut for Boston and turned in a statement performance. In fact, it is indicative of what his new ball club has given him, which Philly was not quite willing to offer.
George finished his Celtics debut with 38 points, five rebounds, three assists, and five steals, draining 12 of his 21 shots, including seven of his 12 tries from beyond the arc. He attempted just two shots less than Jayson Tatum and easily looked like the best player on the court. Well, that is a descriptor that rarely suited him when he was still part of the 76ers.
Celtics already gave Paul George more freedom than the 76ers ever did
When George signed with the 76ers back in the summer of 2024, fans and pundits alike expected him to be the second in command on the team. But with the rise of Tyrese Maxey and the continued dominance of Joel Embiid, the nine-time All-Star eventually had to settle for a more complementary role as his numbers declined to a great degree. It also did not help that injuries ravaged him throughout his stint in Philly, pushing down his footing on the pecking order.
Now, it appears that the Celtics –– having moved past Jaylen Brown –– are embracing a more major role for George as the second fiddle to Tatum. It is unrealistic to expect the 36-year-old star to suddenly get back to his All-NBA form, but if he can still be productive and prolific as a two-way catalyst, he might just be able to trample the narrative that he is already washed.
Well, George's apparent resurgence is all thanks to the Celtics giving him much more freedom than the 76ers ever did. While Philly never actively wanted him to take a major step back, it became clear right from the get-go that the team wanted the other stars to shine. Even last season, there were lots of times when it felt like then-rookie VJ Edgecombe had a bigger slice of the pie.
Boston is looking to prove a lot of people wrong this season, which mirrors what Paul George probably wants at this point in his career. His 76ers stint was far from a remarkable one due to the team pigeonholing him –– albeit justifiably –– into a certain box, but now he can finally savor being a clear-cut Robin with the Celtics.
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