'Turned that corner': Paul George gives positive health update after joining Celtics

Father Time is, famously, undefeated. Paul George, however, still believes he has a few rounds left in him.

Speaking to the media for the first time as a member of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, George addressed a number of difficult subjects, ranging from fan sentiment over the departure of Jaylen Brown to his own extensive history on the injury report.

And while he handled each question with the class and professionalism one would expect of an NBA veteran, the 36-year-old's statements around his fitness entering this next chapter of his career were surprisingly positive, suggesting that George sees Boston as a place where his already-illustrious career can reach even greater heights.

Paul George believes injury bug is behind him

Speaking at his introductory press conference alongside new teammate Mike Conley, Jr., George gave himself a glowing bill of health despite the injuries that have plagued him in recent years.

"Obviously, the last two years have been rough just with injuries," George stated. "But for myself personally, I feel great again. I feel like I've turned that corner of dealing with injuries, and now re-establishing myself from a physical standpoint again."

To be fair, highlighting just the previous two years may have been generous from George. Over the last five seasons, PG-13 has played more than 65 games only once, with a low of 31 games played coming in the 2021-22 season, according to ESPN. Last year's total of 37 appearances was due in part to a 25-game suspension for "taking an improper medication," according to a statement made by George at the time, as well as injuries earlier in the season.

But by that same token, George said that the 25-game layoff late in the regular season played a crucial role in preparing him to excel in the playoffs and contribute to the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round upset of the Celtics back in May.

"That time that I had off, it was almost like a dog being let off the leash," George quipped. "You know, you've been chained up for so long – the analogy there is just, the limitations, again, physically, and then to be healthy again, it just felt like I was able to do things [I couldn't do before]. And quite frankly it might have caught Boston off-guard from an expectation that I could no longer move. But I was feeling good, I felt that I was able to do all the things out there to gain an advantage or be a weapon."

Celtics can still afford to rest "Playoff P"

That could come as crucial information to the Celtics if and when they do find themselves chasing the playoffs in March, as the roster in Boston currently boasts a number of talented wings that could easily slot in for George if the six-time All-NBA selection does require some load management late in the year.

Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh are all promising young players who have shined when given their opportunities, while Sam Hauser is relatively speaking more of a veteran presence with proven three-point acumen.

Any of these five could feasibly slot in for George when needed, and certain lineups may even feature two or three of them depending on how head coach Joe Mazzulla wants to manage Jayson Tatum's ongoing Achilles recovery and Payton Pritchard's flexibility as a starter or sixth man.

George will undoubtedly need to be at his best to win over the many Celtics fans still devastated by the departure of Brown to Philadelphia. But if he really is coming into the 2026-27 campaign feeling as good as he says, then the combination of the NBA's winningest franchise with one of the best active players yet to earn a ring could prove to be a force to be reckoned with beyond anybody's expectations.