Paul George’s Boston Celtics debut was something else, but not in the way he wanted: The NBA just slapped him with a $2,000 fine for flopping after Tuesday’s 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons, making it the very first flopping fine of the 2026-27 season. This came right after George dropped a franchise record 38 points in his first game with the team, a performance that still wasn’t enough to prevent Boston from blowing a massive lead.
Peak PG13, Peak Problems
Talk about a mixed bag! George arrived in Boston this offseason via the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, and he certainly made an entrance individually. He didn’t just score 38 points, which is a new Celtics franchise record for a debut, but he also racked up five steals, five rebounds, and three assists. He was looking like the “peak version of himself” from earlier in his career. It seemed like the move reignited him.
George even told reporters after the game, “Getting back into the swing of things. Playing again. I thought, really, the camp, legs were just heavy. I was winded a lot of times, so it was taking away the ability to kind of do things when I just felt a little heavy and sluggish. But I’m getting my wind back. I’m getting my legs back. I feel like I’m getting my pop back, and so that was kind of the difference maker.” You gotta love that kind of self-awareness. But then the league office reviews the tape and, boom, a $2,000 fine for flopping. That’s a costly welcome to Beantown for sure.
The 22-Point Lead That Vanished Into Thin Air
Here’s the kicker: all that individual brilliance from George meant absolutely nothing in the win column. The Celtics blew a massive 22-point lead against the Pistons, allowing Detroit to go on a soul-crushing 23-0 run in the fourth quarter. Are you kidding me? A 23-0 run! That’s just unacceptable, especially when you have a guy like George turning back the clock.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons’ charge, dropping 22 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, but the real silent killer might have been Ausar Thompson’s defense on Jayson Tatum. Tatum had a rough night, shooting an ugly 6-of-23 from the field and an even uglier 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. He just couldn’t match George’s impact for the Celtics, and when the fourth quarter collapsed, there was no stopping it.
Talk about a roller coaster start to the season for the Celtics, huh? George put up numbers like it was 2018, but a debut fine and a blown 22-point lead? That’s not the vibe you want after an offseason trade that sent Jaylen Brown away. This is just one game, sure, but it’s a loud reminder that even with peak Paul George, the Celtics have some serious fourth-quarter issues to sort out if they want to make any noise this season. That $2,000 might just be the tip of the iceberg if they don’t tighten things up fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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