Celtics vs. 76ers Takeaways: What We Learned About Jaylen Brown, Paul George & East Hierarchy

Celtics vs. 76ers Takeaways: What We Learned About Jaylen Brown, Paul George & East Hierarchy originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The hype coming into Tuesday's matchup between the top two teams in the East mostly revolved around Jaylen Brown's revenge game against a Celtics team that traded him, along with his complicated relationship with Jayson Tatum."There's no beef, but you know, it might be a little lamb chops with some gravy," Brown said of Tatum in the days leading up to the game.Tatum's Celtics team ultimately feasted against what had been a good Sixers defense, winning by a convincing score of 123-101 to take over the top spot in the conference standings.Tatum tried to downplay the game after the buzzer, saying, "They all count as one. No game is bigger than another, definitely in the regular season."While there is a lot of truth to that statement, there were some broader lessons that we learned about the top of the East.Four takeaways from Celtics' dominant win over 76ersJaylen Brown overcooked his pork chopsTatum had consistently downplayed any tension with his former teammate leading up to Tuesday, while Brown suggested that there might be some complicated emotions at play. That dynamic repeated itself before tipoff, when Brown appeared to ignore Tatum. The two also did not acknowledge each other after the buzzer, although Tatum had to be rushed to a postgame interview for NBC while Brown was catching up with other Celtics.Brown had bigger things to worry about than Tatum on Tuesday. He had a poor game, shooting just 4-of-9 from the field for 13 points, turning the ball over four times and battling foul trouble in the first half.Jayson Tatum forces the turnover on Jaylen Brown in their first iso of the game. 📺 NBA on NBC and Peacock https://t.co/IOStW8Kk93— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) November 11, 2026Brown had been criticized for his on-off numbers in Boston. While he had reversed that trend in Philadelphia through his first 10 games, he posted a game-worst minus-27 during his 26 minutes of play on Tuesday.Brown still hasn't quite found his rhythm for the Sixers more generally. His scoring has been way down from last season as he adjusts to playing alongside so many other stars. He had been contributing in other areas, such as offensive rebounding and defense, but it's going to take more time for him to find his perfect role.When do we start to address LeBron James' decline?James was a top-25 player, an All-Star and the best player in a playoff series last year for the Lakers. He might make the All-Star team based on legacy this season, but he has fallen off dramatically as he also adjusts to a new role.A dip in scoring is understandable given the offensive talent that is around James. But his overall efficiency has plummeted, as evidenced by a 4-of-12 night on Tuesday, including 1-of-6 from 3-point range. He's shooting just 25 percent from deep this season, and his rim finishing is way down to 64 percent.Not counting his rookie year, James has consistently been one of the best players in the league in that area of the floor. This year, he ranks in the 34th percentile. He's botched one or two layups every game that would be automatic in previous years. He's been fumbling the ball way more often than we've ever seen, too.He's only 20 and he's playing defense like this 👀 https://t.co/FcSwHIuatV— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 11, 2026James' defense has also slipped. Tatum notably blew by him twice on the same possession, leading to James grabbing Tatum and sending him to the line to prevent an easy layup.James is still a very good player that provides an important and exceptional skill with his connective passing. He's a massive bargain on his salary. But he hasn't looked close to a top-25 player at any point in this season. He's had slow starts and recovered before, but this has been his worst.The Jaylen Brown trade might be turning into the Paul George tradeGeorge stole the show on Tuesday, scoring a game-high 36 points. He was the best player on the floor, hitting dagger 3-pointers and finishing through contact. He's been healthy and productive in Boston, averaging 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while also playing quality defense and drilling 42.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.The Sixers have to be asking themselves where this version of George was when they signed him to a massive four-year, $212 million contract. He's been reinvigorated in Boston, though, where he is constantly flying off screens and finding open looks that are perfect for his skill set.George isn't going to come close to finishing sixth in MVP voting like Brown did last season. But he fits so well with what Boston does on both ends, stretching the floor with his shooting and switching across multiple positions defensively.As Noah Eagle put it during the broadcast, "PG-13 has turned rated R."PAUL GEORGE SCORING 14 STRAIGHT IN THE 4Q, UNCUT 🍿 A 36-point return to Philadelphia... @celtics win their 4th in a row and move to #1 in the East! https://t.co/xUg9qxrXCR— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2026The Celtics are the best team in the EastTuesday's results weren't a fluke. The Celtics have the best net rating in the league, better even than the powerhouse Spurs out West. They also now have the best record in their conference. They've been winning in convincing fashion, outscoring opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game.The Sixers fell to No. 2 in the East, but their record has several more red flags attached to it. They rank 16th in net rating, outscoring opponents by only 12 total points on the year. Every single one of their wins has come via incredible clutch play, which is a tough way to survive during a long regular season.Philadelphia's bench also looks like a pain point, particularly at backup center. Boston, on the other hand, has relied on tremendous depth through the early portion of the season.Payton Pritchard reminded everyone why he was the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year, scoring 18 points off the bench. Sam Hauser chipped in four 3-pointers. Hugo Gonzalez came up with several hustle plays. And Mitchell Robinson grabbed four offensive rebounds while still playing himself into better shape.Cleaned that up real quick 🧹 https://t.co/mkn9FVDtND— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 11, 2026Boston lowered its overall talent level after it traded Brown away, but the top of the East isn't quite as strong as most people predicted. The Celtics can afford to have a lower ceiling and still come away with the best record in the conference.That's on its way to happening, and Tuesday's shellacking showed that there is a notable gap between the top two teams in the East.More Celtics newsPaul George Outplays Jaylen Brown in First Battle of Celtics-76ers Trade CenterpiecesJaylen Brown Gives Jayson Tatum Cold Shoulder Before Celtics vs. 76ers Tips OffPeople Close to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Keep Saying the Same Thing About Their 'Beef'