Celtics beat 76ers 123-101 in Brown’s return

The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 on Tuesday in the teams’ first meeting since Jaylen Brown was traded to Philadelphia in July. Paul George scored 36 points for Boston, while Brown had 13 in his first game against his former team. Jayson Tatum scored 21 for the Celtics.

George made six three-pointers and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter as Boston pulled away. The Celtics led by nine entering the final period, then extended the advantage to as many as 29 points. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 24 points. Boston’s win moved it to 9-2, ahead of the 76ers at 9-3 in the Eastern Conference standings.

Brown shot 4-for-9 and committed four turnovers in 26 minutes. Foul trouble limited his playing time: he picked up two fouls in the first quarter and his fourth early in the second half. He helped Philadelphia take its only lead early, stealing a Tatum pass and feeding Maxey for a three-pointer.

After the game, Brown said he was frustrated with his performance and that foul trouble had derailed him somewhat. Before tipoff, Tatum approached Brown with a tap on the shoulder and chest; Brown did not visibly respond. The former teammates won the 2024 NBA...