The Boston Celtics continued their impressive start to the season Friday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 125-111 in their NBA Cup opener. While Payton Pritchard stole the spotlight with 30 points and Jayson Tatum added 26, Paul George continued showing that he has plenty left in the tank.
George finished with 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds, delivering another strong performance as he settles into his new role in Boston. At 36 years old, the veteran forward is beginning to look like the player fans remember from his prime.
George Looks Like His Old Self
After dealing with injuries and an inconsistent stretch over the past couple of seasons, George entered this season with something to prove. His early performances suggest he could be in for a major bounce-back year.
George has looked comfortable in Boston’s offense, creating opportunities for teammates while still showing the scoring ability that made him one of the NBA’s most dangerous two-way players.
His Celtics debut was especially impressive. George erupted for 38 points against Detroit, knocking down seven three-pointers and adding five steals. Although Boston lost that game, his performance immediately showed what he could bring to the team.
Since then, George has continued contributing as Boston has put together four consecutive victories.
Boston Keeps Building Momentum
The Celtics have plenty of reasons to feel confident about their start. Pritchard’s scoring, Tatum’s leadership and George’s all-around game give Boston multiple ways to attack opposing defenses.
Friday’s victory was another example of the team’s offensive potential. Boston jumped out to a huge first-half lead and never allowed Chicago to seriously threaten the result.
The Celtics are still early in the season, but George’s return to form could become one of the biggest stories in the Eastern Conference. If he stays healthy and continues playing this way, Boston could have a major advantage as the season progresses.
Paul George is turning back the clock, and the Celtics are benefiting from every minute of it.
