Analysis

Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) on defense in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

It might seem insignificant, and it might be forgotten over time, but the Sixers actually had a chance to make this game if it wasn't for one clutch play in the middle of a blowout win

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Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket between Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) and center Andre Drummond (1) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics put up their biggest playoff-opening win in team history, powered by their stars

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

A lot of it seems pretty straightforward, but it's not always easy to do the simple things in the playoffs, especially when the other team knows what you're trying to do.

Nov 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The young Boston Celtics wing will draw a massive defensive assignment in the opening round of the playoffs, but he says he's prepared to be the X factor Boston needs

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives to the basket defended by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Bsoton Celtics are the heavy favorites, but the Sixers have some stylistic advantages that could make things difficult for the second-seeded Celtics

Oct 22, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) passes around Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Celtics are heavy favorites in the first round, and for good reason, but that doesn't mean the Sixers can't get a few licks in along the way, and there are a few guys on that roster who have a decent chance to do so

Oct 22, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

It might not really matter who the Celtics play, but there are some strong reasons to just avoid the Magic and face Philly in the first round

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) and Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) celebrate during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

As we spend a little time looking back at what the Celtics just accomplished, this list of team and individual stats tells a story about their 2025-26 season

Apr 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Ron Harper Jr (13) and Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) celebrate during the second half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Celtics threw a lineup of mostly late-second rounders up against a bunch of lottery picks and won, because that's what they always expect from one another

Nov 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic guard Tyus Jones (2) defends Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

There are three possibilities, though a lot of unlikely things need to happen for one of these to materialize

Apr 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Celtics were so hot on Friday night, the Pelicans needed to borrow Artemis II's heat sheild after it splashed down

Apr 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) and center Neemias Queta (88) celebrate during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Celtics were as hot as any team in NBA history on Friday night, and their game against New Orleans was never in doubt

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Joe Mazzulla will change coverages many times during most games, but he didn't against the Knicks

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) reacts after hitting a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Boston's shooting was too cold for too long, but Baylor Scheierman's hot streak nearly bailed them out

Nov 10, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is guarded by Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

He's had some nice things to say about Joe Mazzulla, and there is at least some reported interest, so let's dive into it and see if it makes any sense

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

LaMelo Ball was killing the Celtics, but then Walsh checked in, the defense helped lead to some easiser offense, and the Celtics pulled away

Mar 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) reacts after being called for a foul against the Washington Wizards during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Neemias Queta is on a roll. His production has been consistently good for the Boston Celtics this season, averaging a solid 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 assi

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) dunks the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Celtics didn't play their best game, but they were able to run away from the Raptors in the fourth quarter to win easily

The Celtics are just barely squeaking in under the tax line, executing their plan to perfection while upgrading a player who is making a great contribution this season

Jan 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) attempts a basket against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Celtics have a a high-powered, potent offense, but when this one thing happens, it pushes the scoring into overdrive

Apr 3, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives for the basket between Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance (35) and forward Kyle Kuzma (18) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Tatum just missed another triple-double, and the rest of the game was pretty easy from start to finish

Mar 25, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrates during the fourth quarter of their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics star is having an All-NBA season, but the debate over first, second, or third team might have been settled by a rash of injury news on Thursday

Apr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Brown had a great bounce-back from a stinker in Atlanta, while Tatum's stretch of great basketball is pretty impressive

Apr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) looks on before the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

There was one jaw-dropping sequence from White that had Brown gushing after the Boston Celtics dispatched the Miami Heat

Mar 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

Brown admitted to this being a really bad game for him, and he also got very little help in making up for it on a night the team was shorthanded

Analysis

How One Clutch Play Helped Boston Celtics Preserve a Blowout Win Over Philadelphia

How One Clutch Play Helped Boston Celtics Preserve a Blowout Win Over Philadelphia

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