BOSTON — The long-awaited rivalry clash between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers turned into a one-sided clinic on Sunday afternoon, as the Celtics dismantled a shorthanded Philly squad 123–91 at TD Garden to take a 1-0 lead in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Any concerns regarding Jayson Tatum’s form following his return from a mid-season injury were silenced within minutes. Tatum, looking entirely unhampered by the Achilles issues that sidelined him earlier this year, spearheaded a wire-to-wire victory that underscored why Boston is a heavy favorite to sweep the series.
Embiid Absence Looms Large
The 76ers entered the series facing a massive uphill battle without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who remains sidelined following an emergency appendectomy on April 9. Without their defensive anchor, Philadelphia had no answer for Boston’s interior pressure or their relentless ball movement.
While Tyrese Maxey put up a valiant effort with 21 points and 8 assists, and Paul George added 17, the Sixers’ offense stalled under the weight of Boston’s elite perimeter defense. Philadelphia shot a dismal 17.4% (4-of-23) from three-point range, a mark that head coach Nick Nurse described post-game as “simply not good enough to win in this building.”
Key Performance Breakdown
| Player | Stats | Impact |
| Jaylen Brown | 26 PTS, 7 REB | Scored 16 points in the 3rd quarter alone to put the game out of reach. |
| Jayson Tatum | 25 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST | Controlled the tempo; logged a double-double in just three quarters. |
| Neemias Queta | 13 PTS, 5-5 FG | Provided a spark off the bench, dominating the paint in Embiid’s absence. |
| Tyrese Maxey | 21 PTS, 8 AST | The lone bright spot for Philly; struggled with efficiency under heavy pressure. |
Tactical Dominance
The Celtics didn’t just win; they controlled every facet of the game, winning all four quarters.
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The Start: Boston opened with a 14–2 run that left the 76ers shell-shocked.
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The Glass: The Celtics outrebounded Philly 58–53, with Tatum and Brown aggressively attacking the boards.
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The Defense: Boston’s switching defense held the Sixers to just 38.9% shooting from the field.
“We knew they’d come in with a lot of energy, but we wanted to set the tone early,” Jayson Tatum said during his walk-off interview. “It’s about discipline. We can’t get comfortable just because we’re up 1-0.”
Series Outlook
The 76ers now have less than 48 hours to find an identity without Embiid before Game 2, which tips off Tuesday night back at TD Garden. If Philadelphia cannot find a way to space the floor and improve their perimeter shooting, this historic rivalry may be headed for a very short chapter in 2026.
