Key Takeaways:
- Payton Pritchard scored 32 points, hitting six out of Boston’s 24 three-pointers, as the Celtics defeated Philadelphia 128-96 on Sunday night
- Joel Embiid returned just 17 days after an appendectomy, finishing with 26 points in 34 minutes, but the 76ers still fell behind 3-1 in the playoff series
- Game 5 is set for Tuesday night in Boston, where the Celtics can secure a series-clinching victory on home court
Match Overview
At the Wells Fargo Center, the Boston Celtics delivered a commanding performance to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 128-96 on Sunday evening. Payton Pritchard was in sparkling form, scoring 32 points fuelled by six three-pointers, while Jayson Tatum contributed 30 points and 11 assists to further tilt the momentum in Boston’s favour.
The Sixers welcomed back Joel Embiid, who returned to action just 17 days after undergoing an appendectomy. Despite his return and a spirited opening burst, Philadelphia could not match Boston’s energy and accuracy, leaving them on the brink of elimination with Game 5 in Boston looming.
Heading back home 3-1 💪 pic.twitter.com/TDXgJFPi8H
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 27, 2026
Dominance from Deep and on the Boards
Boston’s ability to stretch the floor proved decisive, as they buried 24 of their attempts from beyond the arc. Pritchard’s perimeter shooting set the tone early, including a long-range effort on one leg to end the first quarter with a commanding 34-18 advantage for the visitors. The Celtics’ rebounding prowess was equally vital, as they secured a 51-30 edge on the glass and orchestrated a 13-0 run in second-chance points to establish a 21-point lead by half-time.
Jaylen Brown added 20 points, ensuring Boston maintained offensive balance despite only needing a combined 13 points from Brown and Tatum in the first half – a significant contrast to their joint tally of 50 points in Game 3.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics | 32 | 4 | 5 |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | 30 | 7 | 11 |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | 20 | 7 | 1 |
| Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | 26 | 10 | 6 |
| Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 2 | 6 |
Embiid’s Courageous Return Overshadowed by Celtics’ Ruthless Approach
Joel Embiid demonstrated tremendous resilience, returning to the court wearing a protective brace after undergoing surgery in Houston on 9 April. He wasted no time making an impact, scoring Philadelphia’s first eight points, including two free throws and an emphatic two-handed dunk, before struggling with his rhythm and missing seven consecutive shots. Embiid eventually collected 26 points during his 34-minute stint, but the emotional surge from his comeback was short-lived against relentless Boston pressure. He was eventually cleared to play just 40 minutes before tip-off and became a focal point of the 76ers’ early offence.
Speaking about the challenging circumstances, Embiid remarked, “What am I going to do? Cry about it?”
Tyrese Maxey finished with 22 points, but only took three shots in the first half, prompting postgame reflection: “That can’t happen,” Maxey said of the slow start. “That’s on me. That’s just unacceptable by me. I was playing within the flow of the game. It kind of happened that way. It wasn’t meant to happen that way.”
Coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the team’s need for a mental reset ahead of Game 5, stating, “It’s going to have to be a big pick-up mentally.”
Celtics Poised to Advance
The Celtics are now one game away from progressing to the next round, with the opportunity to close out the series at home at TD Garden. Their strong performances since Jayson Tatum’s return from injury in March have placed them firmly in contention, with Boston’s cohesive squad displaying the form of a genuine championship contender. Awaiting them would be the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-New York Knicks series, but for now, all focus remains on securing the series in front of their own supporters on Tuesday night.
