NBA: Paul George drops 36 in Philly return as Celtics rout 76ers 123-101 to take 1st in East
FINAL: Celtics 123, 76ers 101. George 36 pts (6-11 3PT, 14 in 4Q); Tatum 21, Pritchard 18; Maxey 24, Brown 13. Boston moves to 9-2 atop the East ahead of 9-3 Philadelphia.
FINAL: Celtics 123, 76ers 101. George 36 pts (6-11 3PT), Tatum 21, Pritchard 18; Maxey 24, Brown 13. BOS 9-2, PHI 9-3.
Paul George poured in 36 points in his first game back in Philadelphia on Tuesday, 10 November, leading the Boston Celtics to a 123-101 rout of the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. In 30:09 of action against the franchise that traded him in the summer, George shot 6 of 11 from three-point range, grabbed five rebounds and scored 14 fourth-quarter points to break open a deadlock. Tied 79-79 late in the third quarter, Boston exploded on a 26-3 run bridging the third and fourth frames. Jayson Tatum added 21 points after a frosty pregame sequence in which former Boston teammate Jaylen Brown appeared to bypass a tap-up before tipoff; Brown battled early foul trouble and finished with 13 points against his old club. Payton Pritchard scored 18 and Sam Hauser added 12 for Boston (9-2), which overtook Philadelphia (9-3) for first place in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 24 points. Elsewhere Tuesday, Portland defeated Oklahoma City 123-103 behind Damian Lillard's 25 points, Deni Avdija's 24 points and 8 assists, and a 38-21 third quarter against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 8 reb) and Jared McCain (21 pts); the Knicks beat the Bucks 117-85, Suns topped the Clippers 133-110, Magic beat the Kings 107-100, and Heat edged the Jazz 115-109.
The stakes
Boston claims solo possession of first place in the Eastern Conference at 9-2 ahead of tonight's road visit to Toronto, while Philadelphia slips to 9-3.
The rivalry angle
Double summer-trade homecoming: Paul George torched Philadelphia for 36 while Jaylen Brown struggled in foul trouble facing Jayson Tatum and Boston.
Players who could decide it
36 points, 6-11 3PT, 5 rebounds and 14 fourth-quarter points in his Philly return.
Scored 21 points as Boston improved to 9-2 and took first in the East.
Led Philadelphia with 24 points; Jaylen Brown was held to 13 points.
Did you know?
- !Game was tied 79-79 late in the third quarter before Boston unleashed a 26-3 surge.
- !Paul George scored 14 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter (6 of 11 from three in 30:09).
- !Other Nov 10 NBA finals: Trail Blazers 123-103 Thunder, Knicks 117-85 Bucks, Suns 133-110 Clippers.
Head to head
Tuesday 10 November 2026. Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia. Final: Celtics 123, 76ers 101.
Sources
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