Paul George gives Celtics a lot to like in debut
Paul George scores 38 in Celtics debut, but Boston blows 22-point lead in season-opening loss to Pistons
DETROIT — Paul George announced his arrival in Boston with a dazzling 38-point performance on Tuesday night, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 35 points in his debut with a new franchise — yet the Boston Celtics still fell 121-113 to the Detroit Pistons in a stunning collapse at Little Caesars Arena.
George, playing in his first game since being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, drilled 12 of 21 shots from the field, including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc. His accuracy and poise stood in stark contrast to Boston’s defensive breakdowns in the closing minutes.
“I’m not a moral victory guy,” George said bluntly. “It means nothing.”
Despite his individual brilliance, the Celtics couldn’t hold court. After building a commanding 22-point lead in the third quarter, they watched the Pistons claw back behind a ferocious 23-0 run capped by Javonte Green’s fifth three-pointer with 3:33 remaining.
George, now in his 17th NBA season and playing for his fifth team, acknowledged that his legs felt heavy during training camp but praised his body’s responsiveness once the game’s intensity ramped up.
“It’s hard to know until the lights come on,” he said. “It was a rough camp for me.”
Teammate Derrick White was quick to praise George’s impact.
“He got hot and we tried to find him,” White said. “It was a thing to watch.”
The turning point came early in the third quarter when George knocked down three consecutive threes in under a minute, pushing Boston’s lead to 72-50. But the offense couldn’t sustain that momentum.
Jayson Tatum, typically reliable, struggled mightily, hitting just 6 of 23 shots while racking up 13 points and 11 assists. His lackluster defensive rotations allowed Detroit’s reserves to seize control late.
“We’ll learn how to close out games like that,” George said of the loss. “If we’re in the driver’s seat, we’ve got to finish.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla lauded George’s seamless integration into the offense.
“Just his comfort level,” Mazzulla said. “He made some great reads throughout the game. He was able to find advantages for himself and others.”
George finished with five steals and three assists to complement his scoring barrage, logging 31 minutes of action. For a player who dealt with injuries and a lengthy suspension last season — appearing in only 37 games — his availability and productivity offered a promising sign.
Still, the sour taste of losing lingered long after the final buzzer.
“Unbelievable performance,” Tatum admitted, trying to find light in a tough opener. “We just need to be better as a unit down the stretch.”
