Boston Celtics Accomplish Something No Other Team Has This Season

The Boston Celtics accomplished something on Sunday that no other NBA team has accomplished yet in this young season.

As noted by Taylor Snow, the Celtics are the first team to have three separate players have a 20-point first half. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard had already done it, and Paul George did it on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 20 in the first 24 minutes en route to a 117-97 win.

The Celtics are now 8-2 on the young season while the rebuilding Bucks are 1-9.

George has been excellent in taking over the No. 2 role for the now-departed Jaylen Brown. He's averaging 20.4 ppg and 5.2 rebounds. He had 27 points in this game to lead the Celtics. Kyle Kuzma also had 27 for Milwaukee.

George was acquired this offseason from the Philadelphia 76ers in the deal that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and while he hasn't replaced everything Brown did directly, he has opened up some new avenues for this group. And he's been great alongside Jayson Tatum.

Tatum had 21 points in this game and is averaging 27.1 ppg. Yes, we're only 1/8 into the season, but Tatum is playing himself into the early MVP conversation. 

Elsewhere in this game, the Celtics got double-figure efforts from Neemias Queta (13), Mitchell Robinson (12) and Payton Pritchard (12). Boston hit 18 three-pointers in the win and also out-rebounded by the Bucks by 12 (48-36).

Thus far, the Celtics have feasted on a very soft schedule, playing seven of 10 games against the Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets, the five worst teams in the Eastern Conference.

Life will get much harder over the next 10 days as the Celtics will see four teams who have serious playoff aspirations.

They'll play the 76ers on Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and then Dallas Mavericks, Magic and Denver Nuggets.

A 17-year veteran, George has played for the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, 76ers and Celtics. He's a nine-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA selection, a four-time All-Defensive selection and a former steals champion. He's averaged 20.5 ppg and has been known as one of the best two-way players in the league. His experience, ability and acumen have been big pluses for the Celtics on the defensive end as well.

He's currently shooting above his career averages from the floor and from beyond the arc.