Everyone knows how Paul George ended up in Boston, but he has made an immediate impact since arriving. The Celtics took on the Detroit Pistons in their regular-season opener on the road on Tuesday. George finished with 38 points, the most ever by a Celtics player in a debut. He shattered the previous record of 30 set by Kristaps Porzingis.
While the Celtics lost 121-113, there was plenty to like about how the team could perform this season. George’s chemistry with Jayson Tatum was also evident, and it looks like things will only get better from here.
George and four draft picks were acquired by the Celtics from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jaylen Brown, a blockbuster trade that caused quite a stir. But after just one game in a Celtics uniform, Boston president Brad Stevens seems like the clear winner of that trade.
NBA fans and media personalities reacted to the nine-time All-Star’s debut performance on Tuesday on social media:
“Maybe that Paul George-Jaylen Brown trade wasn’t so bad after all,” a fan said.
Right from the start, George looked like a man possessed, delivering at both ends of the court. He shot 12-for-21 and knocked down seven of his 12 3-point attempts. He was also nearly perfect from the stripe, going 7-for-8, while recording five steals, five rebounds and three assists.
Paul George Claims 8th Place on NBA’s All-Time 3-Pointers Made List
Paul George just keeps climbing the ranks of NBA history. In knocking down seven of his 12 3-point attempts against the Pistons, George moved past Kyle Korver on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list with 2,451 career triples.
The top 10 are as follows: Stephen Curry (4,248), James Harden (3,390), Ray Allen (2,973), Klay Thompson (2,899), Damian Lillard (2,804), LeBron James (2,636), Reggie Miller (2,560), Paul George (2,451), Kyle Korver (2,450) and Kevin Durant (2,377).
George and the Celtics will be back in action on Friday night for their home opener against the New York Knicks at TD Garden, kicking off a three-game homestand.
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