Key Takeaways:
- On Sunday, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 49 points as Boston defeated Toronto 115-101
- Neemias Queta added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Payton Pritchard contributed 17 points for the Celtics
- The Raptors, led by Ja’Kobe Walter’s 16 points, were outscored 35-24 in the final quarter
Match Overview
The Boston Celtics secured a 115-101 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at home, powered by strong performances from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown delivered 26 points, with Tatum contributing a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Neemias Queta and Payton Pritchard made significant impacts off the bench, scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively. This victory marks the Celtics’ third consecutive win, bringing them within reach of clinching second place in the Eastern Conference.
No Sunday scaries here 😏#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/XruGYUISuI
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 5, 2026
Key Player Contributions
Boston received a welcome return from centre Nikola Vucevic, who played for the first time in a month after undergoing surgery on his right ring finger. He logged four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes as he works back to full match sharpness. On the Toronto side, Ja’Kobe Walter led with 16 points, while Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett chipped in with 15 each. Despite their best efforts, the Raptors could not maintain their momentum from their previous 32-point victory against Memphis.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | 26 | 6 | 3 |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | 23 | 13 | 7 |
| Neemias Queta | Boston Celtics | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics | 17 | 1 | 3 |
| Ja’Kobe Walter | Toronto Raptors | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| Brandon Ingram | Toronto Raptors | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| RJ Barrett | Toronto Raptors | 15 | 5 | 4 |
Statistical Breakdown
The Celtics entered the night following back-to-back fixtures where they amassed at least 43 points in the first quarter, but found themselves struggling from long range early in this encounter, missing 13 of their first 16 three-point attempts. After one period, the sides were level at 26-all. Toronto, aiming to secure a top-six finish in the East and avoid the play-in, faltered in the final quarter, conceding a 35-24 deficit while committing several turnovers and suffering defensive lapses. Notably, Walter missed all three free throws in a single trip to the line during this critical stretch.
Decisive Fourth Quarter
Boston led by three points going into the final 12 minutes but broke the deadlock with a 16-6 run, sparked by Payton Pritchard’s long-range effort just 18 seconds into the fourth. The Raptors narrowed the gap to 10 with under four minutes remaining; however, the Celtics responded by scoring 10 of the next 12 points to secure the win. Jaylen Brown played a pivotal role in this sequence, scoring on three consecutive possessions, including a remarkable play where he grabbed his own missed free throw to convert a layup seconds apart.
Looking Ahead
- The Raptors will host the Miami Heat on Tuesday
- The Celtics are set to face the Charlotte Hornets at home on Tuesday
