Celtics Rout 76ers as Tatum-Brown Reunion Falls Flat

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Celtics Rout Sixers as Tatum-Brown Showdown Falls Short of Expectations

The first meeting since the Jalen Brown blockbuster deal ended in a one-sided result, with the Celtics defeating the Sixers 123-101 on national television.

Paul George scored 36 points in his return to Philadelphia following what was described as a disastrous contract. Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points, six rebounds and two blocks, including 11 points in the first quarter.

Brown was held to 13 points and committed a game-high four turnovers in 23 minutes. He also had four fouls by the third quarter and barely acknowledged Tatum’s pregame greeting.

John called the game a letdown because the anticipated one-on-one battle between Tatum and Brown never developed. He criticized Joe Mazzulla for running Tatum off screens and double-teaming Brown rather than allowing the two players to face each other directly. He also faulted Nick Nurse for failing to counter Boston’s approach as Philadelphia was embarrassed on the national stage.

The discussion then turned to Joel Embiid’s condition. Concerns were raised about how he has looked early in the season and whether he can last through 65 regular-season games. His ankle injury on an uncontested fast-break layup only added to those concerns.

John argued that Sixers fans already recognize the situation but may not be ready to accept it. Although he still believes a healthy Embiid is the best center in the NBA, he said the process is over and Philadelphia may have to move on.

LeBron James’ role also became part of the debate. One view was that he looked worse and rustier than he did last season. The counterargument was that this is the right version of LeBron for the team: a facilitator and connector rather than a player expected to score 30 points and play 35 minutes. In that structure, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brown are expected to provide the legs, speed and endurance.