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COURTSIDETHE INDEPENDENT DATA DESKNBA-Lineups
THE COURTSIDE DATA DESK / 2026–27

Paul George flashes defense in Celtics' preseason rout of Philadelphia

A quick read on what changed — and what it means for the rotation.

Image from the source report · Yahoo Sports

What happened

Boston rolled past Philadelphia by 38 points in its first preseason meeting, and the game marked the exhibition debut of several Celtics regulars, including Paul George. George led the team with five steals in the win.

Joe Mazzulla said George has had a strong camp physically and praised his instincts, technique, and positioning after Saturday’s game. The coach also said George’s defense is contagious, underscoring why the Celtics are emphasizing extra possessions.

LINEUP CONTEXT

George’s disruptive defense could help Boston create more transition chances if it carries into the regular season. The article does not confirm any permanent rotation change or regular-season minutes.

Automated brief based on the linked report. Lineup context is analysis; official starting-five labels come separately from our game data provider.

NBA-Lineups.com is an independent basketball resource. Game times, scores and starting lineups are updated automatically. News briefs link to their original reporting. Data may be delayed or incomplete.

Sources · Methodology

Courtside details