The Boston Celtics opened their playoff run in commanding fashion, rolling to a 123-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round series at TD Garden.
Boston seized control early and never relinquished it, building a 64-46 halftime advantage and stretching the margin to as many as 35 points in a one-sided contest. By the fourth quarter, the outcome was long decided, with the Celtics firmly in charge from start to finish.
Jayson Tatum delivered an impressive all-around performance in his return to postseason action following last year’s Achilles injury. He tallied 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, setting the tone early with a strong first half that helped Boston establish its lead. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 26 points, including a dominant 16-point burst in the third quarter that effectively put the game out of reach. Together, Tatum and Brown combined for 51 points to pace the Celtics’ offense.
Boston’s depth also played a key role. Neemias Queta added 13 points, while Sam Hauser knocked down four three-pointers to finish with 12. Payton Pritchard contributed 12 points and six assists off the bench, and Derrick White chipped in 10 points and six assists.The Celtics found success from beyond the arc, hitting 16 of 44 three-point attempts (36%), compared to Philadelphia’s 4-for-23 (17%). They also took better care of the ball, committing just eight turnovers versus 14 by the 76ers.
Philadelphia struggled offensively without Joel Embiid, who is sidelined following an appendectomy earlier this month. Tyrese Maxey led the team with 21 points, while Paul George added 17, but the Sixers couldn’t keep pace with Boston’s efficiency and firepower.
With a 1-0 series lead, Boston will host Game 2 on Tuesday night before the matchup shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday. The winner of the series will move on to face either the New York Knicks or the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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