Paul George Drops 36 as Celtics Beat 76ers 123-101 to Take Top Spot in the East

Paul George scored 36 points in his return to Philadelphia as the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 on Tuesday night, November 10, 2026, to take over first place in the Eastern Conference. George, traded to Boston in the summer deal that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, hit six three-pointers and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Jayson Tatum got the better of his former teammate in the first meeting since the blockbuster July trade.

Key Points

• Paul George scored 36 points on 14-for-22 shooting with six three-pointers, including 14 points in the fourth quarter, in his return to Philadelphia.
• The Celtics beat the 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, outscoring Philadelphia 32-19 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
• Jayson Tatum scored 21 points with six rebounds and four assists, outplaying former teammate Jaylen Brown, held to 13 points and four turnovers.
• Boston made 22 of 49 three-point attempts (44.9%) and won a fourth straight game to move to 9-2, passing the 76ers (now 9-3) at the top of the East.
• Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 24 points, and the teams meet again in Boston on January 21.

What Happened

The most anticipated early-season game in the East lived up to its billing for three quarters, then Boston turned it into a rout. The Celtics led 62-51 at halftime, and George took over down the stretch, keying two separate runs that put the game away.

George shot 14-for-22 from the field and 6-for-11 from three-point range, and his fourth three-pointer put Boston ahead 100-82. After it dropped, he appeared to give a bowling motion toward the visitor's bench. Tatum added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, and soared above LeBron James for a driving dunk in the third quarter.

Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, never found a rhythm in his first game against Boston since the summer trade. He picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and was whistled for his fourth early in the second half, finishing with only 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and a game-high four turnovers in 26 minutes, with a minus-27 plus-minus. Maxey led the Sixers with 24 points. Read our report on the 76ers' last win, a 127-121 victory over the Bulls, when Brown and Maxey combined for 56 points.

Philadelphia also survived a scare when Joel Embiid landed awkwardly on a missed layup attempt and curled up on the court while VJ Edgecombe dunked over him. Embiid has slumped badly with his shot: he went 0-for-9 from the floor last Friday in Cleveland, scoring only two points, and had missed 27 of his last 30 three-point attempts.

Background and Context

Tuesday's game was the first meeting between the teams since the July trade that reshaped both franchises and the Eastern Conference. Boston sent Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, to Philadelphia and received George, who had spent two seasons with the 76ers. Both teams arrived at Xfinity Mobile Arena as the top two in the East.

Philadelphia came in at 9-2, its best start through 11 games since the 2000-01 season, after Sunday's 127-121 win in Chicago, where Brown scored 29 and Maxey 27. Boston arrived at 8-2, having bounced back from a 109-93 loss in Houston on November 2 with three straight wins. The winner would take sole possession of first place. See also how Houston handed Boston its last defeat, 109-93.

Paul George 36 Points: A Homecoming That Flipped the East

George's 36 points were the story of the night, and the setting made them louder. This was his first game back in Philadelphia since the trade, in the arena where he played for two seasons, and he attacked it from the opening minutes.

The fourth quarter was where George closed the show, scoring 14 points and keying two separate runs that turned a working margin into a blowout. For a Boston side that lost its last game against a top Western Conference team by 16 points, the performance was a reminder of how dangerous this roster is when its shooting is on. Boston gave up a Finals MVP to get George, and on the first head-to-head night he was the best player on the floor.

Reactions and Quotes

There was no handshake diplomacy before the opening tip. Tatum tried to dap up Brown with a tap on the shoulder and a thump on the chest, and his former teammate ignored it. Both Tatum and Brown had refused to say much about their frosty relationship in the build-up, and the pre-game moment said more than either had in the days before the game.

The most telling reaction of the night belonged to George. After his fourth three-pointer pushed Boston's lead to 100-82, he turned toward the visitor's bench and appeared to give a bowling motion, the kind of celebration that only comes when a player knows the game is already won. On the Philadelphia side, the night's other big moment was worry: the sight of Embiid curled up on the floor after his awkward landing drew a hush from the home crowd.

Why It Matters

First place in the East in mid-November is not a trophy, but the way Boston took it matters. The Celtics won on the road, against the team they are chasing, by 22 points, with their new star scoring 36 in his old building and their old star held to 13. That is the kind of win that sets the tone for a season.

For Philadelphia, the loss exposes two problems that will follow the 76ers until they are fixed. Brown's foul trouble and minus-27 night showed how much the offence still leans on him and Maxey, and Embiid's shooting slump leaves the team without its usual interior anchor. See also Tatum's 34-point night in Boston's 39-point rout of Charlotte.

What Happens Next

The two teams will not meet again until January 21, when the 76ers travel to Boston, and that rematch now carries extra weight. Brown will get his first chance to answer Tuesday's performance on the Celtics' home floor. The early verdict is in: Boston owns first place in the East, George owns the first chapter of the trade story, and Philadelphia has two months to prepare its reply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Celtics vs 76ers on November 10?
The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

How many points did Paul George score against the 76ers?
George scored 36 points on 14-for-22 shooting with six three-pointers, including 14 points in the fourth quarter, in his return to Philadelphia.

How did Jaylen Brown do in his first game against Boston?
Brown scored only 13 points with four turnovers in 26 minutes, finishing minus-27 after early foul trouble.

What are the Celtics' and 76ers' records now?
Boston improved to 9-2 and took over first place in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia fell to 9-3.

When do the Celtics and 76ers play again?
The teams meet again in Boston on January 21