The Sixers’ version of ‘Playoff P’ has arrived at the right time, helping force an improbable Game 7 in Boston

Paul George knocked the ball away from Jaylen Brown in the opening minute of Thursday’s fourth quarter, leading to a Justin Edwards jumper.

The 76ers veteran wing then grabbed the rebound on the Boston Celtics’ ensuing possession, and was rewarded on the other end when Joel Embiid fed George for a crafty up-and-under finish to extend his team’s lead to 23 points.

That was one highlight sequence of another excellent George performance, which helped propel the Sixers to a 106-93 home victory to force an improbable Game 7 of this first-round, best-of-seven series Saturday night in Boston.

George compiled a smooth 23 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range, plus four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He continued his outstanding perimeter defense against the lethal Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combined to shoot 13-of-30 from the floor and commit eight turnovers Thursday.

After multiple injuries and a 25-game suspension in less than two seasons, this has been George’s best stretch as a Sixer. And it is has arrived in the most important games since the former perennial All-Star signed a max contract in the summer of 2024.

Consider it vintage “Playoff P,” and a new “Playoff P.”

“I’m finally enjoying it, now that I’m able to do things that I was once able to do again,” George said after the game. “It’s fun for me again. So, to be honest, it’s kind of just I’m seeing who I am again, how can I be relevant again, or how can I chase some of the things that I was doing in my past.

“It’s been fun to be on the floor and just experience and kind of just learn the things about myself.”

George on Thursday continued his rhythm from beyond the arc, hitting three first-half deep shots including a fading splash late in the second quarter. He scored 10 points in the Sixers’ critical third quarter, highlighted by a beautiful high-arching jumper over stout defender Derrick White to give the Sixers an 80-61 lead. George also delivered a slick behind-the-back pass in transition for the VJ Edgecombe dunk that caused the home crowd to explode. Then, George’s tone-setting plays to begin the fourth helped the Sixers cruise to a comfortable win.

“I just feel like he’s getting more confident every game at the offensive end,” coach Nick Nurse said of George. “… he feels like he can score out there.”

Yet George’s defense has potentially been even more impressive throughout this first-round series.

That was immediately earmarked as the area the Sixers needed George entering this matchup, because the shot-making of wings Tatum and Brown is “as good as it gets,” he said. Teammate Kelly Oubre Jr., who often is drawing the other half of that challenging perimeter assignment, marvels at how George uses his footwork and “meticulous movements” that make him an offensive threat as a defender, as well. George has guarded physically but not overzealously, thanks to a disciplined approach originating from detailed film study.

“They’re going to embarrass me in moments,” George said of Tatum and Brown. “But I enjoy the matchups. I enjoy the challenges. My whole career, I’ve always been excited on the defensive end.

“I tell people I’ve just been gifted to score and be able to have a smoothness on the offensive end. But defensively, I’ve always appreciated that side of the ball. So it’s fun every minute that I’m on the floor. I want the matchup. I want to play against those guys.”

Thursday’s effort was the latest part of George’s dramatic turnaround in his Sixers tenure, which previously had left outsiders grumbling about his hefty contract in relation to his age and injury struggles. That backlash perhaps reached its apex when George was suspended in late January for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

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When he returned in late March, All-Star teammate Tyrese Maxey noticed George “had a mission.” Earlier in the season, ongoing recovery and soreness from summer knee surgery forced George to save himself for games, because any on-court work beyond practices risked him “not feeling my best” at tipoff. These days, George feels strong and healthy enough to spend additional time drilling shots and 1-on-1 moves against defenders.

The early returns were strong. George averaged 21 points on 47.2% shooting in the Sixers’ final 10 regular-season games, including a 39-point outburst in an April 1 win at the Washington Wizards. He was physically able to play in both games of two back-to-back sets. He and his loved ones recognized his renewed positive spirit.

That all has carried into this series. He has shot 54.3% from three-point range (19-of-35) in the six games against Boston. The Sixers have deliberately fed him the ball in the post, particularly at the beginning of quarters. George also has been an important veteran voice even to team leaders such as Maxey, who said he resonated with George’s candid messaging after a Game 1 defensive flop and when Maxey took only three first-half shots in Game 4. And George has been building on-court chemistry with Embiid on the fly.

“I think we both see the same things on the floor,” George said of Embiid, “so it’s been working.”

It has been a glimpse of what George envisioned when he joined the already-lethal Embiid-Maxey tandem. When they first linked two summers ago, George said he was “more than fine” being the third offensive option, and that “I’ll get the [defensive] stops that we need.”

When George checked out Thursday, with another must-win secured and a stunning Game 7 on the way, he received a raucous standing ovation from the home crowd. That would have seemed unfathomable in mid-March.

But the Sixers’ version of “Playoff P” has arrived, at the ideal time.

“He does everything,” Embiid said.