PHILADELPHIA | November 10, 2026
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown supplied the storyline. Paul George supplied the fireworks.
George poured in 36 points and knocked down six three-pointers Tuesday night, leading the Boston Celtics to a 123–101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the first matchup between the former championship teammates.
The final score concealed how close Philadelphia came to changing the night.
After trailing by as many as 16 points, the Sixers pulled even at 76 with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter. Boston answered by outscoring Philadelphia 47–25 the rest of the way, turning a tense Eastern Conference showdown into a comfortable finish.
George led the charge, shooting 14-of-22 from the field and 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Tatum added 21 points, while Payton Pritchard delivered 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 24 points.
Sixers Rally, Celtics Respond
Boston carried a 62–51 lead into halftime, with its ball movement and perimeter shooting keeping Philadelphia’s defense under pressure.
The Sixers found their footing in the third.
Maxey attacked, LeBron James helped create opportunities and Joel Embiid drew fouls as Philadelphia worked its way back. When the Sixers tied the game at 76, Boston’s first-half cushion was gone.
Its composure wasn’t.
The Celtics regained control and kept piling on, finding scoring options across the lineup while Philadelphia struggled to sustain its comeback.
For the Sixers, the rally demonstrated their offensive potential. The finish exposed how far they still have to go against a team capable of answering every run.
George Steals the Spotlight
On a night billed around Tatum and Brown, George delivered the defining performance.
He scored efficiently from inside and outside the arc, giving Boston a dependable scoring option without forcing the Celtics away from their offensive rhythm.
Paul George | Boston Celtics
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Points | 36 |
| Rebounds | 5 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Field goals | 14-of-22 |
| FG percentage | 63.6% |
| Three-pointers | 6-of-11 |
| 3PT percentage | 54.5% |
| Plus/minus | +17 |
Philadelphia had to account for more than George.
Tatum contributed six rebounds and four assists alongside his 21 points. Pritchard gave Boston another productive scorer and facilitator, while Sam Hauser scored all 12 of his points on four three-pointers.
The Celtics’ spacing made defensive help costly. Commit too much attention to one scorer, and another was available.
Boston kept finding him.
Boston’s Execution Makes the Difference
Philadelphia received double-figure scoring from five players, but the production never translated into the same sustained efficiency.
Anfernee Simons scored 17 points, Embiid added 16 and Brown finished with 13. James contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Boston was sharper with the ball and more effective with its chances.
The Celtics shot 51% from the field and 45% from three-point range, compared with Philadelphia’s 42% and 30%. They also finished with 28 assists against eight turnovers, while the Sixers recorded 23 assists and committed 13 turnovers.
| Team statistic | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Field goal percentage | 51% | 42% |
| Three-point percentage | 45% | 30% |
| Assists | 28 | 23 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 46 | 32 |
| Rebounds | 43 | 42 |
This wasn’t simply a hot-shooting night from the perimeter.
Boston also outscored Philadelphia 46–32 in the paint, attacking the gaps created by its spacing and forcing the Sixers to defend the entire floor.
Philadelphia’s offense too often leaned on individual creation. Boston’s movement produced a steadier supply of quality looks.
Tatum Gets the Win in First Meeting With Brown
The reunion remained part of the night, even after George took command.
Tatum finished with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Brown countered with 13 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Their first meeting on opposite sides offered a new chapter for two players whose partnership helped bring a championship to Boston.
But the result belonged to the Celtics’ collective effort.
George carried the scoring load. Tatum contributed across the floor. Pritchard and Hauser punished Philadelphia’s defense when opportunities opened.
Boston had answers beyond its headliners.
S³ Final Assessment
Philadelphia erased a 16-point deficit. Boston erased any doubt about the finish.
The decisive 47–25 closing stretch was the difference, but the foundation was there throughout the night: efficient shooting, balanced scoring and possessions that rarely ended with a careless mistake.
The Sixers showed enough firepower to make the game competitive. They did not show the consistency to keep it there.
One November matchup won’t settle the Eastern Conference. It did show the standard Philadelphia must meet.
S³ Final Word: The reunion brought the attention. George’s 36 points and Boston’s execution delivered the verdict.
FINAL: Boston Celtics 123, Philadelphia 76ers 101
S³ | Sweet Science Sports
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