Sports · Basketball · 1 day ago
Paul George Says Celtics Have Helped Him Rediscover His Love for Basketball
Paul George says joining the Boston Celtics has renewed his love for basketball after two difficult seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 36-year-old forward arrived in Boston in an offseason trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.
George has played for several teams since beginning his career with the Indiana Pacers, and he says the Celtics’ culture and tradition feel different from anything he has experienced.
Injuries and a 25-game suspension disrupted his time in Philadelphia, where he played only 41 games in 2024-25 and 31 in 2025-26.
George has faced criticism over his teams’ playoff results, but says those experiences humbled him and helped him focus on what he can control.
Boston can use George as a contributor rather than its main playmaker, with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard also expected to create opportunities.
George hopes to stay healthy and help the Celtics contend for a championship as he begins his 17th NBA season.
Paul George says joining the Boston Celtics has helped him rediscover his love for basketball.
The Celtics acquired George from the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.
George praised the Celtics’ locker room, culture, front office, city and tradition.
He said his recent career setbacks have humbled him and that he hopes to contend for an NBA championship.
- Who
- Paul George, now with the Boston Celtics.
- What
- George says joining the Celtics has helped him rediscover his love for basketball.
- When
- This offseason, after the Celtics acquired him from the 76ers.
- Where
- Boston.
- Why
- George said the team and its culture have brought out a different passion in him.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
George demanded a trade from Indiana to a potential championship contender.
The Celtics acquired George from the 76ers.
- New team
- Boston Celtics
- Previous team
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Previous franchise
- Indiana Pacers
- Celtics teammate
- Jayson Tatum
3 sources
What people are saying
There's a love again for this game, and I just think everything is kind of just aligning at the right time for me here.
It does bother you at times. It does affect you at times. But you got to believe in yourself.
It’s surreal because I was in high school modeling my game after him and watching film of him when I was in high school and college.