Entering the Play-In Tournament with matching 45-37 records, Philadelphia held the tiebreaker advantage and thus enjoyed home-court in the deciding game, giving them a clear edge to advance.
Paul George logged 36 minutes, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 1-of-6 from three, and 3-of-4 from the line. He added five rebounds, five assists, and two steals as part of the Sixers’ win.
The win eliminates Orlando and sets up a high-stakes series with the Celtics, a recent champion that poses a stern test for Philadelphia. George acknowledged the challenge, noting, “We’re playing against winners. We’re playing against champions. This is where they play their best basketball.”
Historically, Philadelphia has struggled against Boston in the playoffs, with the Celtics prevailing in three series since 2018. The Sixers will look to reverse that trend by leveraging home-court advantage and a balanced lineup to challenge a well-oiled Celtics team.
This marks Paul George’s second season with the Sixers, a period in which his role has been central as the team seeks a deeper playoff run. Last season he appeared in 41 games, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists; this season he’s posted 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 37 appearances.
