Boston Celtics’ Paul George hit with flopping fine after 38-point debut ends in collapse

Paul George was fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping in his Boston Celtics debut, a 121-113 season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons. The penalty followed a fourth-quarter incident in which he fell after contact with Duncan Robinson; officials did not call a foul during play, but the league reviewed video afterwards.

George scored 38 points, setting a Celtics record for points in a debut, but Boston squandered a 22-point lead. Detroit’s 23-0 fourth-quarter run helped seal the comeback, while Jayson Tatum shot 6-of-23. The fine is the league’s minimum for a post-game flopping penalty, and George remains eligible to play against Philadelphia on Friday.