How Boston Celtics' Paul George Joined Steph Curry in NBA History This Year

The Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday night to move to 6-2 on the young season. While the Celtics allowed a 31-point halftime lead to evaporate into a game that was much too close at the end, it was a good win for Boston, who won without Jayson Tatum, who missed his first game because of load management.

Stepping up in his place was veteran Paul George, who scored 25 points in 35 minutes. He was 8-of-18 from the field and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. He added five assists, four steals and three rebounds. He did have a team-high six turnovers, but he's been a generally steady presence for Boston this season.

Acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason as part of the deal that sent Jaylen Brown out of Boston, George has been excellent in the early going.

Playing alongside Tatum, he's done well as a secondary scorer, averaging 21.3 ppg. And he's lived up to his reputation as a good defender and a cerebral player. He's averaging a career-best 2.6 steals per game and is also dishing out five assists. That's also above his career average of 3.7.

As Payton Pritchard struggles to get consistently going offensively, George's consistency has been necessary. He's also played in seven of the team's eight games, which is good because he's played in 60 or less in six of the last seven years. If the Celtics can keep him on the floor, they have a better chance of hitting their ceiling as a unit.

A 17-year veteran of the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, 76ers and Celtics, George is a nine-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA selection, and a four-time All-Defensive player.

He's averaged 20.5 ppg for his career to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He's a 44 percent career shooter.

In a season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, George had 38 points, five steals and five rebounds, making him the second-oldest player in NBA history to have a 35-point, 5-steal game. Only Steph Curry, who was 37 at the time he did it, was older.

George is 36 and will be 37 in May. Curry is one of the best players in NBA history, so joining him in any exclusive company is certainly a good thing.