George erupts for 36 as Celtics rout 76ers in Brown's tense return

Paul George scored 36 points as Boston beat Philadelphia 123-101 on 10 November, a win that put the Celtics above the 76ers at the top of the NBA Eastern Conference.

It was Jaylen Brown's first regular-season game against Boston since the summer trade. Seconds before tip-off, Jayson Tatum went to him and gave him a friendly tap on the chest, and Brown ignored it.

Paul George scored 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, hitting six three-pointers from 11 attempts, and led Boston past the 76ers 123-101. Jayson Tatum had 21 points and Jaylen Brown 13.

Boston extended its winning streak to four games, pushing the Celtics to 9-2. The 76ers fell to 9-3.

Before tip-off, Tatum tapped Brown on the chest to greet him. Brown ignored the gesture and walked past.

Brown opened the contest with energy, recording two steals in the opening minutes and intercepting a Tatum pass to feed Tyrese Maxey for a three-pointer.

Foul trouble soon derailed that momentum. Brown committed two fouls in quick succession in the first quarter, then was called for his fourth early in the second half.

Philadelphia levelled the score at 76-76 and again at 79-79 in the third quarter before Boston pulled away.

George took control in the final period, pouring in 14 consecutive points in the fourth quarter. He hit six of Boston's 22 three-pointers.

After his fourth three-pointer gave the Celtics a 100-82 lead, George made a middle-finger gesture toward a Sixers fan. He later explained that the fan dropped the ball on the ground as if George were a dog sent to fetch it.

Tatum finished with 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting. He added a third-quarter dunk over LeBron James.

Brown was booed throughout the contest by the Philadelphia crowd. Tatum was also booed whenever he touched the ball.

After the final buzzer, Brown hugged several former teammates but left the floor without speaking to Tatum.

Tatum downplayed the reunion.

"No game is bigger than the other, definitely in the regular season, you know – it’s one game," said Tatum, a Boston Celtics forward.

"The hoopla is over, and now we get all ready for tomorrow," Tatum said.

George praised his new teammate's gravity on the court.

"Obviously JT demands so much attention. Playing off him has allowed me to get a lot of easy opportunities," said George, a Boston Celtics player.

"At this point in my career, there’s only one thing that I want to do, and that’s win. And so, for him, especially for JT, (my role is) to alleviate any pressure, any friction," George said.

Brown was dismissive before the game when asked about clearing the air with Tatum.

"There's nothing to talk about," said Brown, a Philadelphia 76ers guard.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed the war of words between the two former teammates.

"They're just words," said Mazzulla, the Boston Celtics coach.

Mazzulla said the situation did not put Tatum in danger, with no weapons, nothing thrown at him and no attack.

Tatum had previously told reporters they shared no animosity and that it was not a Shaq and Kobe situation. Brown agreed there was no beef, but said it might be a little lambchops and some gravy.

Reports of a rift over Tatum's knowledge of or role in Brown's trade overshadowed the cold shoulder. ESPN insider Shams Charania said Brown confronted Tatum at a dinner table in France last June, the last time the two spoke face-to-face.

After the trade, Tatum called and texted Brown, who never answered. It's also unknown whether the reported rift between the two players has been resolved, as available information consists only of their public comments and those of their coach.

In July, Boston traded Brown to Philadelphia for George and draft picks. The franchise chose to keep Tatum after determining that retaining both stars, whose salaries would consume roughly 70 percent of the cap, was unworkable.

The Celtics had first tried to trade Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ended up at the Miami Heat instead.

Brown and Tatum each went third overall in consecutive drafts, with Brown selected in 2016 and Tatum in 2017. They won the 2024 NBA title together, Brown earning Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP honours, while Tatum earned First Team All-NBA nods.

Last season, Brown posted career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Tatum missed most of that campaign while recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered in the 2025 playoffs.

George, 36, signed a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract with Philadelphia ahead of the 2024 season. He was suspended 25 games last season for violating the NBA's anti-drug program, but averaged 20.4 points entering this game, higher than in either of his two previous seasons in Philadelphia.

Tatum said the Celtics now get ready for the next day's game.

1. 2016 and 2017Back-to-back drafts

   Brown and Tatum were both drafted third overall in consecutive years.

2. 2024NBA title

   The pair won the championship together, with Brown earning Finals MVP honours and Tatum earning First Team All-NBA nods.

3. Last seasonDivergent paths

   Brown averaged a career-best 28.7 points while Tatum missed most of the season recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered in the 2025 playoffs.

4. Last JuneFrance confrontation

   Brown confronted Tatum at a dinner table in France, the last time the two spoke face-to-face, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.

5. JulyThe trade

   Boston traded Brown to Philadelphia for George and draft picks. Tatum called and texted Brown, who never answered.

6. 10 November 2026Pre-game snub

   Before tip-off, Tatum tapped Brown on the chest to greet him. Brown ignored the gesture and walked past.

7. 10 November 2026Post-game silence

   After the final buzzer, Brown hugged several former teammates but left the floor without speaking to Tatum.