Joe Mazzulla says Paul George has had a ‘tremendous’ Celtics camp as two-way race narrows

BOSTON — Oct. 14, 2026 — Joe Mazzulla is happy with what he has seen from Paul George in his first Celtics training camp. The bigger question now is how Boston keeps him at that level across 82 games. “He’s had a tremendous training camp from a physical standpoint,” the Celtics coach said, in comments reported by MassLive’s Souichi Terada. “The way he’s practiced, the way he played the other night in the game, I think he’s in great shape. I think he feels great from that standpoint.”

Mazzulla then added the line that matters most for the season ahead: “And so the balance is making sure we do what gives us the best chance to get the best version of him every single night.”

A fresh start after injury-filled seasons

George came to Boston this summer in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers after several seasons interrupted by injuries, and he has said throughout camp that he feels great. Mazzulla’s praise backs that up for now, but his focus on “every single night” points to a plan to manage George’s workload rather than lean on him heavily from the start. Boston opens the regular season on Oct. 20 against the Detroit Pistons.

One two-way spot still open

The other decision left before opening night sits at the end of the roster. Rookie wing Dillon Mitchell and big man Amari Williams hold two of Boston’s three two-way contracts, which leaves one spot for a group of Exhibit 10 players with only a few practices left to make their case.

Devin Carter has looked like the front-runner. The 13th pick in the 2024 draft spent two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks this summer and was waived just before camp before Boston signed him. He scored 17 points in the preseason win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, although an illness has slowed him since. “I didn’t get waived until right before training camp started,” Carter said. “It was tough, especially trying to find a home that fast. Everything happens for a reason. I’m just thankful to Brad (Stevens) and the Celtics organization for getting an opportunity for me.”

Defense has been Carter’s calling card, but his jumper remains the question: he is a career 27.4 percent three-point shooter. Milos Uzan, Hayden Gray, Tucker DeVries and Gabe McGlothan are the other Exhibit 10 signees, and Boston could also look outside once other teams make their cuts. The Celtics have used the spot well before, with Sam Hauser, Ron Harper Jr. and Neemias Queta all starting their Boston careers on two-way deals.

More on WhyNBA: Harper returns to practice as Carter deals with illness and Boston’s physical preseason defense.