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Celtics lose 121-113 despite Paul George’s 38-point debut

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 2:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Paul George Debut

Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, but Boston lost 121-113 to Detroit.
His 38 points set a Celtics record for most in a debut and rank fifth for any rookie start.
George shot 12-of-21 overall and 7-of-12 from three-point range.
Detroit erased a 22-point deficit with a 23-0 fourth-quarter run, led by Green (19), Cunningham (22) and Duren (22).

Summary

John Havlicek Debut

John Havlicek debuted for the Celtics on Oct 20 1962, helping a 149-116 win over the New York Knicks.
Dan Swartz, a Morehead State alum, debuted that night and scored seven points in ten minutes.
On Oct 20 1976, a three-team deal sent Paul Silas to Denver and Curtis Rowe to Boston.
In 2003, the Celtics traded Antoine Walker to Dallas for Raef LaFrentz, Chris Mills and Jirí Welsch.

History

Historical Context

When Bill Russell entered the Boston Celtics lineup on November 3 1956, his rookie debut sparked a 110-95 victory over the St. Louis Hawks. Coach Red Auerbach praised Russell’s 21 points, 12 rebounds, and the Celtics’ 10-0 run that turned a five-point deficit into a decisive lead. Like Paul George’s 38-point Celtics debut in 2024 and John Havlicek’s 1962 first-game surge, Russell’s impact demonstrated how rookie performances can reshape a franchise’s momentum. That precedent cemented the Celtics’ reputation for leveraging rookie talent, a strategy that continues to drive trade decisions and roster rebuilds today.

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Paul George Debut

Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, but Boston lost 121-113 to Detroit.
His 38 points set a Celtics record for most in a debut and rank fifth for any rookie start.
George shot 12-of-21 overall and 7-of-12 from three-point range.
Detroit erased a 22-point deficit with a 23-0 fourth-quarter run, led by Green (19), Cunningham (22) and Duren (22).

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