Paul George Scores 36 as Celtics Beat 76ers 123-101 in Jaylen Brown Reunion/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Paul George scored 36 points against his former team as Boston defeated Philadelphia 123-101 on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum added 21 points, while Jaylen Brown struggled with foul trouble and scored 13 in his first matchup against the Celtics since being traded. Boston improved to 9-2, taking the Eastern Conference’s best record as Philadelphia fell to 9-3.
Quick Look
- Final score: Celtics 123, 76ers 101.
- George’s return: He made six 3-pointers and scored 14 consecutive points in the fourth quarter.
- Tatum’s contribution: Boston’s star finished with 21 points.
- Brown’s reunion: The former Celtic scored 13 points while battling foul trouble.
- Pregame moment: Brown did not respond to Tatum’s friendly greeting before tipoff.
- Boston’s shooting: The Celtics made 22 3-pointers.
- Conference standings: Boston improved to 9-2, while Philadelphia dropped to 9-3.
- Next meeting: The teams meet again Jan. 21 in Boston.
Deep Look
George Leads Boston to Victory in Philadelphia Return
PHILADELPHIA — Paul George delivered a commanding performance against his former team Tuesdayscoring 36 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 in a game marked by reunions and an awkward exchange between former teammates.
George made six of Boston’s 22 3-pointers and scored 14 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, helping the Celtics earn their ninth victory in 10 games.
Jayson Tatum added 21 points as Boston improved to 9-2, the best record in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia fell to 9-3.
Jaylen Brown, facing the Celtics for the first time since his summer trade, finished with 13 points while struggling with foul trouble.
Brown Does Not Respond to Tatum’s Greeting
Before tipoff, Tatum greeted Brown with a tap on the shoulder and a thump on the chest. Brown did not respond.
The moment drew attention because the former Boston teammates have not spoken since Brown was traded to Philadelphia during the offseason.
Tatum declined to attach significance to the exchange.
“No headlines about anything like that,” he said. “I was just getting ready for the game. Ready for jump ball. Go out there and compete and have some fun and try and get the win.”
Brown similarly avoided discussing the interaction.
“I’m just focused on doing what’s best for my team,” he said. “Everything else was just, to be honest, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Brown said last month there was “no beef” between him and Tatum.
Foul Trouble Limits Brown Against Former Team
Brown picked up two quick fouls in the opening quarter and was called for his fourth early in the second half.
He produced an early highlight against Tatum, intercepting his former teammate’s pass and finding Tyrese Maxey for a 3-pointer.
But Boston controlled the matchup, with Tatum also providing a memorable dunk over LeBron James.
Tatum and James had exchanged a handshake and an embrace before the game, contrasting with the distance between the former Celtics teammates during warmups.
George Explains Gesture Toward Sixers Fan
George’s strong return also included an obscene gesture toward a Philadelphia spectator.
After making his fourth 3-pointer to give Boston a 100-82 lead, George directed a middle finger toward the fan with a bowling-style motion.
“There was a fan being a (jerk),” George said. “Ball rolled to him. He looked me dead in my eyes. Dropped the ball on the ground as if I’m a dog to go fetch or got get it instead of passing the ball to me like a normal fan would do. So I rolled him a middle finger in return.”
His shooting and fourth-quarter scoring helped turn the reunion into a decisive Boston victory.
Summer Trade Reshaped Both Contenders
Boston sent Brown and draft picks to Philadelphia in July in exchange for George.
The move ended Brown and Tatum’s partnership, which helped deliver the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship. Brown was named Finals MVP during that title run.
He followed with career-best averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season, when Tatum missed most of the campaign while recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered during the 2025 playoffs.
With both players healthy and their salaries eventually projected to account for roughly 70% of Boston’s salary cap, the Celtics faced a difficult financial and roster decision. They chose to retain Tatum.
Despite Tuesday’s result, both teams have started strongly following the trade.
George Finds Success After Difficult Sixers Tenure
George arrived in Philadelphia in 2024 on a four-year, $212 million contract, with expectations that he would form a championship-caliber trio alongside Joel Embiid and Maxey.
Instead, knee and adductor injuries, among other physical problems, limited his impact over two seasons.
He also served a 25-game suspension last season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.
The 36-year-old entered Tuesday averaging 20.4 points for Boston, higher than his scoring average in either Philadelphia season. His performance against the Sixers offered another indication of his improved production with the Celtics.
Mazzulla Downplays Personal Storylines
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who coached Brown and Tatum during their championship season, dismissed the significance of the surrounding commentary.
“They’re just words,” Mazzulla said. “It’s not like his life’s threatened. There’s no weapons. There’s no one throwing anything at him. No one’s attacking him. It’s not really that big of a deal.”
The teams’ next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21 in Boston, giving Brown another opportunity against his former club after George and Tatum controlled the first matchup.
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