Paul George made the kind of statement debut Boston will have wanted, moving into eighth place on the NBA all-time 3-pointers made list against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday before finishing with 38 points and five steals. For a team eyeing a 13th straight playoff appearance, it was a reminder that George can still reshape a game at both ends.
The milestone came in the second quarter when George hit his 2,451st career 3-pointer to pass Kyle Korver. It was a significant moment in its own right, but it was only part of a broader performance that underlined why Boston wants him in the starting lineup alongside Jayson Tatum.
George gives Boston the shot-making it needs
George’s line told the story of a player who arrived ready to take responsibility. He went 12-for-21 from the field and supplied the kind of scoring burst that can steady a side when the game starts to open up.
That is what makes the debut so meaningful for Boston. The Celtics are not asking George to be a passenger. They are asking him to be a major part of the equation, and Tuesday suggested he is comfortable with that task.
A debut that fits Boston’s bigger picture
There was also a historical edge to the night. George’s 38 points set a franchise record for points in a Celtics debut, surpassing the previous high of 30 points, which Kristaps Porziņģis reached in 2023. In a sport where first impressions matter, that is about as strong an opening as Boston could have hoped for.
The age profile also matters. At 36, George is still producing at a level that gives Boston real confidence, especially if the aim is to keep pace in a season built around contention. The 5 steals were another sign that his impact was not limited to scoring.
For Boston, the question is not whether George can fill a score sheet. It is whether he can keep doing it in the games that define the season. Tuesday gave a clear answer on the first part. The next tests will show how far that can carry the Celtics.
