​Celtics’ Paul George Showed What Makes Him Special in One Preseason Play originally appeared on NESN.
Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Paul George gave the Boston Celtics a glimpse of what he does best.In Saturday’s preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers, George finished with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. He also recorded a game-high five steals in 25 minutes.One of those steals stood out because it showed a skill George has honed throughout his career.Here’s a closer look at the play and why it matters for the Celtics.MORE: Paul George Reveals Surprising Celtics Detail After Impressive Boston DebutThe playThe breakdownGeorge starts the possession on 76ers guard Labaron Philon, who receives a screen from teammate Dean Wade. George works his way around Wade’s screen while Celtics center Luka Garza drops to the paint to provide some help.That leaves Wade, who popped to the 3-point line after setting a screen on Philon, open.Wade is a career 36.7 percent 3-point shooter. Garza would have a tough time contesting his shot, so Hugo Gonzalez helps off of Tyrese Maxey on the wing to run Wade off the 3-point line. NBA.com Notice where George is as Wade approaches the paint. NBA.com Facing a crowded paint, Wade decides to kick the ball out rather than challenge George, Garza and Derrick White at the rim.George reads Wade’s mind and uses his long arms to intercept it. NBA.com That sparks a nifty sequence that ends with Payton Pritchard knocking down a wide-open 3-pointer.MORE:Jayson Tatum Lands at No. 13 in Player Rankings for ‘Wildcard’ ReasonWhy it mattersGeorge has long been one of the NBA’s most disruptive perimeter defenders.He enters the 2026-27 NBA season with 1,601 career steals. That ranks 42nd all time and fifth among active players behind only LeBron James, James Harden, Mike Conley and Stephen Curry.George led the league with a career-best 2.2 steals per game in 2018-19, but he was still among the league leaders in steals last season. His 1.7 steals per game in 2025-26 would’ve led the Celtics.Those numbers help explain why George’s Celtics debut was so encouraging. He brings years of experience picking off passes, mucking up plays and sparking transition opportunities. Even at 36, few defenders play the passing lanes better than he does.The Celtics were an excellent defensive team last season, but they didn’t generate many turnovers, ranking 28th in steals per game and 25th in points off turnovers. That wasn’t just because of Jayson Tatum’s injury, either. The Celtics also ranked near the bottom of the league in both stats in 2024-25.It’s only one preseason play, but it offers an encouraging glimpse of how George’s defensive instincts could make Boston’s already dangerous defense even scarier.More CelticsLatest Celtics newsTD Garden fan guide: What to know before you goComplete history of Celtics championships