The Boston Celtics absolutely crushed the Philadelphia 76ers 144-106 in their first preseason matchup, and man, did Jayson Tatum shine! But the real buzz? It’s all about Paul George’s debut, and what he’s already saying about Tatum. Forget just fitting in, George is ready to push Tatum right into the MVP conversation this season. Talk about high stakes right out of the gate!
PG13’s Debut: No Nerves, All Business, and a Huge Goal for Tatum
Paul George, wearing that Celtics jersey for the first time, reflected on having “extra” nerves during his debut. You wouldn’t have known it from the way the first unit looked, getting off to an encouraging start. Tatum himself called playing alongside George “surreal,” and honestly, after years of facing off, having George on his side must feel pretty good. George totally gushed about the “badge or honor” of wearing the Celtics uniform, which is exactly the energy you want from a star signing. The most important thing though? George made it crystal clear he’s ready to help Tatum “be in that MVP conversation” in his first season with the team. That’s a bold statement, and it tells you everything about the ambitions for this squad and for Tatum himself. This new wing duo with Tatum and George has officially been unveiled, and early impressions are screaming positive.
Bench Mob Domination and a Defense That’s Already Elite
While Tatum and George were getting comfortable, the Celtics’ bench absolutely went off, dominating the Sixers and making a statement that could totally change Boston’s rotation moving forward. Payton Pritchard was a standout, earning “Player of the Game” honors in the win. Neemias Queta, one of the Celtics centers, spoke about the team’s big depth, seeing it as complimentary rather than competitive. That’s a crucial mindset for a deep squad! Coach Joe Mazzulla clearly got Tatum showing us exactly what we needed to see in this blowout. And if you needed more proof this team is for real, the defense is already this Celtics team’s calling card. That’s according to Simone, and it’s a huge sign when your D is clicking so early.
The Celtics are now sitting pretty at 2-0 in preseason play, handling their rival Sixers with ease. What’s next? More preseason action, obviously. But really, it’s about seeing this team continue to gel. Can Paul George and Jayson Tatum maintain this insane chemistry? Will the bench keep up this incredible energy and solidify their spots? This isn’t just about wins, it’s about laying the foundations for a deep run. We’re watching the early blueprints of something special, and I can’t wait to see how it builds up before the real games start counting!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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