‘This Is Art,’ ‘Philly Fans in Shambles’ — Hoops World Reacts As Paul George Flips Off 76ers Fan in Philadelphia Return
Photo by Josip Ivanković on Unsplash
Paul George’s return to the City of Brotherly Love was marked by a 36‑point performance that helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 123‑101. The nine‑time All‑Star, who had been traded to the Celtics in the deal that brought Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, was a force from the opening minutes, scoring the first two baskets for Boston and continuing to dominate throughout the game.
The highlight—and controversy—came after George made his fourth three‑pointer of the night. With the score at 100‑82 and 9:36 left in the fourth quarter, he delivered a middle finger to a fan near the sideline, using a bowling‑style motion. The clip quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media. Some fans praised the gesture as “art” and “important,” while others called it “Philly fans in shambles.” A streamer even wrote, “I’m in love.” George later explained that the fan had stared at him and dropped a ball on the ground, prompting him to “roll him a middle finger in return.”
Beyond the viral moment, George’s night was statistically impressive. He shot 14‑for‑22 from the field and 6‑for‑11 from beyond the arc, adding 14 points in the fourth quarter alone. He finished with a plus‑17 rating in 30 minutes, as Boston moved to 9‑2 and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
After the game, George reflected on his time in Philadelphia, noting that he feels “a little bit better with more usage” in Boston. He added that the team’s willingness to give him the opportunity to play “and be myself” has made a difference in his performance.
