There was a lot of attention on Tuesday night when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown faced each other for the first time as opponents. After everything that happened between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, fans were naturally curious to see how the two former teammates would handle it.

But something funny happened along the way. While everybody was watching Tatum and Brown, Paul George decided to remind everyone that he wasn’t finished being an important player in the NBA.

George Scored 36 While Everyone Watched Tatum and Brown

George scored 36 points in Boston’s 123-101 win over Philadelphia, shooting 14-of-22 from the floor and knocking down six three-pointers. It was a terrific performance, particularly considering the questions surrounding his health and his ability to consistently produce at this stage of his career.

And perhaps that’s the part worth paying attention to. George said afterward that being healthy has made the biggest difference. He also noted that Boston has given him the opportunity to play a larger role and simply be himself offensively. Sometimes a player doesn’t need to find a new identity. He needs to get back to the one that made him successful in the first place.

Meanwhile, the Tatum-Brown reunion provided its own little sideshow. Tatum finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Brown managed just 13 points and struggled through a difficult night. There was even an awkward pregame moment when Tatum tried to greet Brown, but Brown didn’t return the gesture.

One Game Won’t Settle the Brown-Tatum Trade Debate

But one game doesn’t settle the argument about which team got the better end of the trade. There is too much basketball left for that. What it does show is that George may have a bigger role in Boston’s plans than some people expected. If he stays healthy and continues producing, the Celtics could get considerably more from this arrangement than the original reaction to the trade suggested.

For Philadelphia, Brown will have plenty of opportunities to answer back. For Boston, Tatum remains the central figure. But on this particular night, the fellow everyone might have overlooked was the one who walked away with 36 points.

Sometimes the most interesting story in a big matchup isn’t the one everybody came to watch.

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