Tatum Shines in Playoff Comeback as Celtics Dominate 76ers to Open Series

Key Takeaways:

• Jayson Tatum marked his playoff return with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, leading Boston to a 123-91 win in Game 1 over Philadelphia
• The Celtics maintained control throughout, never trailing and hitting 16 three-pointers as 12 players contributed minutes
• Philadelphia struggled without Joel Embiid, who remains sidelined following his April 9 appendectomy, and went just 4-for-23 from three-point range

Tatum’s Impressive Return Powers Boston’s Fast Start

Jayson Tatum delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday night at the TD Garden in his first postseason appearance since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season. Registering 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, Tatum made an immediate impact in just his 17th outing of the season following his Achilles surgery last May. In the first half alone, he recorded 21 points, underscoring his return to form as the Boston Celtics dismantled the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tatum, focused on his ongoing rehabilitation, stated, “I’m still rehabbing. I still attack rehab every single day except for when we have off days. … Still trying to ramp up.”

THIS is how you start the playoffs ✅#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/Z1ot9BL2Z6

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 19, 2026

Celtics Assert Dominance Early and Often

Jaylen Brown topped the Celtics’ scoring with 26 points, while Neemias Queta added 13 points off the bench. Boston imposed themselves on both ends, never conceding the lead and stretching their advantage to as many as 35 points. Coach Joe Mazzulla utilised 12 players throughout the contest, and the Celtics made 16 three-pointers as the team showcased fluid, high-energy basketball.

“That was Celtics basketball,” said Brown. “We’ve been the harder-playing team all year. That can’t change now that the playoffs have started.”

76ers Hampered by Embiid Absence and Shooting Struggles

Tyrese Maxey managed 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers but was kept under pressure by Boston’s defence, which contested 12 of his 14 first-half shots and limited him to 8-of-20 overall shooting. Philadelphia, without Joel Embiid as he continues to recover from an appendectomy on April 9, found it hard to keep up with Boston’s pace or match their efficiency from distance, finishing just 4-of-23 on three-point attempts.

Paul George contributed 17 points, with V.J. Edgecombe adding 13, but with Philadelphia falling behind 33-18 at the end of the first quarter and trailing 64-46 at half time (their largest playoff deficit to the Celtics since 1982), Coach Nick Nurse described the team’s showing as “absolutely unacceptable.”

“We just didn’t do enough at either end to settle into the game,” Nurse commented.

Early Foul Trouble and Line-up Adjustments for Philadelphia

The 76ers struggled to keep pace early, making only 1 of their first 9 attempts from three-point range. Defensively, the absence of Embiid was felt inside as both Adem Bona and Andre Drummond quickly collected two personal fouls each, prompting Nurse to introduce Dominick Barlow, who had seen only 10 minutes in Philadelphia’s play-in victory over Orlando. Despite these adjustments, the Sixers could not stem the Celtics’ offensive flow.

Looking Ahead

Game 2 of the series will take place on Tuesday night in Boston, with the 76ers’ hopes hinging on potential updates regarding Joel Embiid’s availability.