PHILADELPHIA -- The Paul George era for the Philadelphia 76ers wasn't exactly what he or the organization envisioned when they brought him in on a 4-year deal in free agency back in the summer of 2024. The 9-time All-Star was hampered by injuries across his two seasons with the franchise and he was then sent to the Boston Celtics in the big Jaylen Brown trade back in July.

In his return to Philadelphia on Tuesday, George dropped 36 points and drilled six triples on 11 attempts as the Celtics handed the Sixers a 123-101 loss. He shot 14-for-22 overall and he was terrific on the defensive end as the 17-year veteran found a groove early and often for Boston.

"He played well," Joel Embiid said of George. "He came in here and that's what he's been doing all season. He's healthy, he's in a good space mentally. So yeah, I mean, he's been playing well all season and he just did what he's been doing all season."

To Embiid's point, George has gotten off to a great start for the Celtics as he's shooting 44% from deep now and averaging 22.0 points a night. He has been a constant for Boston from the jump and his former Sixers teammates are happy to see him playing well--although not against them.

"It’s good to see Paul," laughed Tyrese Maxey. "I don't want to see Paul get six 3s and 30 points. I love him. Love his family. I want to see him score zero points. But it is good to see Paul. He’s my guy. He's a good dude. He gave us everything he had while he was here. We know what he did in the playoffs last year. So appreciate him. Great person. Great family. And we'll see him again."

George may not have had the biggest impact on the floor in Philadelphia, but he was able to have an impact on his teammates in the locker room and outside of basketball. He and Embiid were close before they were teammates in Philadelphia, the bond grew over the past two years, and it's continuing even with George now a member of the Celtics.

"Paul is great," Embiid added. "Off the court, we have a special relationship. Families are close, especially both of our kids. Actually, all of our kids. So yeah, I mean, I love him. I think you know that's why I'm extremely happy for him. You know, he's healthy. He's playing well."

From opening night when he scored 38 points in his Celtics debut in a narrow loss to the Detroit Pistons on the road, George has been terrific. While Jayson Tatum has been the engine that drives Boston, it's in good shape having George next to him, and Embiid sees that.

"He's been, I mean from the start of the season, you see what he did tonight," Embiid finished. "You can kind of see he’s been their best player on some level. So extremely happy for him, proud of him, and yeah. But you know, obviously, we have a great relationship past this whole thing, and that's what matters."

The Sixers will see the Celtics again on Jan. 21 for Brown's first game back in Boston.