Celtics Take 2-1 Series Lead as Tatum and Brown Dominate 76ers in Thrilling Game 3
Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics seized control of their Eastern Conference first-round series with a thrilling 108-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3, taking a 2-1 lead behind stellar performances from their star duo. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each contributed 25 points in front of a raucous sellout crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Tatum continued his impressive return from last year’s torn Achilles tendon, adding 4 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal in 42 minutes of action. The forward was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, connecting on 5 of 9 attempts from 3-point range, including the game-sealing shot off a Derrick White offensive rebound with 27 seconds remaining.
Experience Shines Through in Crucial Moments
Since Tatum‘s rookie year in 2018, he and Brown have played in more playoff games than anyone else in the NBA, and that experience proved invaluable in the closing minutes. The duo combined to score or assist on the first 27 points Boston scored in the final period, making multiple dagger jumpers as the game intensified.
« I just missed being a part of moments like that where it’s just a back-and-forth game, » said Tatum. « Sometimes we had some moments where things didn’t go our way and then we had to fight back and get the lead. And it was just a figure-it-out type of game. And make winning plays. And it was just fun. »
Brown, who recorded 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and three blocks in 40 minutes, scored eight straight points late in the fourth quarter to give Boston a 96-92 lead. His performance helped the Celtics respond after dropping Game 2 on their home floor.
« We definitely wanted to come back and respond after dropping one on our home floor, » Brown said. « We can’t lose two games in a row in the playoffs. It’s tough. So this was a big win for us. »
Philadelphia fought valiantly despite playing without center Joel Embiid, who remains sidelined following an appendectomy on April 9. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points and six assists, while Paul George contributed 18 points. The Celtics‘ 3-point shooting proved decisive, as they connected on 20 of 47 attempts compared to Philadelphia‘s 12 of 35.
« We were in a position to win this game, » Maxey said. « Come in Sunday, got to get one. Got to protect home court and even the series. »
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia, where the 76ers will look to even the series and potentially welcome back Embiid, who was upgraded to doubtful before being ruled out two hours before Friday’s tip-off.
Comments (0)