Celtics rout 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 at TD Garden

The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series, with Jaylen Brown leading all scorers with 26 points and Jayson Tatum adding an all-around line of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in Boston’s complete home win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Boston took control early and never gave it back. The Celtics outscored Philadelphia 33-18 in the opening period, setting the tone with efficient offense and steady defensive pressure. The 76ers struggled to find rhythm, and the early 15-point margin immediately put them in catch-up mode.

Second Quarter

Philadelphia showed some life in the second, scoring 28 points behind Tyrese Maxey’s playmaking and shot creation. Still, Boston matched that push with 31 points of its own, keeping the lead comfortable at 64-46 by halftime. Every time the 76ers threatened to string together momentum, the Celtics answered.

Third Quarter

The third quarter effectively ended any real comeback hopes. Boston again put up 31 points while holding Philadelphia to 25, stretching the advantage to 95-71 entering the fourth. The Celtics continued to move the ball well and generated quality looks from both the perimeter and inside.

Fourth Quarter

With a 24-point lead entering the final period, Boston stayed sharp rather than easing off. The Celtics outscored the 76ers 28-20 in the fourth to close out a 32-point result. Philadelphia never got close enough to make the final minutes competitive.

Key Performers

Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 26 points, providing the game’s top scoring total. Jayson Tatum delivered one of the most complete performances of the afternoon with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 50.0% from the field, made 16 three-pointers, and finished with 31 assists on 45 made baskets.

Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey was Philadelphia’s top producer with 21 points and 8 assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the team with 7 rebounds. Beyond Maxey, though, the 76ers had a difficult time generating consistent offense, finishing at 38.9% from the field and just 4-for-23 from three-point range.

NerdSports Stat: Boston made four times as many three-pointers as Philadelphia, 16 to 4, and that 12-shot gap from deep accounted for 36 points in a game the Celtics won by 32.

Game Analysis

This game came down to shot quality, ball movement, and early control. Boston’s offense was balanced from the start, and its 31 assists reflected how comfortably it created clean looks throughout the afternoon. The Celtics also made Philadelphia pay from the perimeter, shooting 36.4% from three while holding the 76ers to 17.4%.

The opening quarter was especially important. Boston’s 33-18 start allowed it to play from ahead all game, and that advantage made it easier to stay organized on both ends. Philadelphia did have stretches where Maxey created offense, but the 76ers could not string together enough stops to change the flow.

Rebounding was close, with Boston finishing ahead 43-40, but the larger difference showed up in offensive execution. The Celtics had 11 more assists than the 76ers and converted their chances at a much higher rate. When Boston got into the paint or forced help defense, it consistently found the next pass.

For Philadelphia, the path forward in this series is clear: better perimeter shooting, more support around Maxey, and a stronger start. Falling behind by 15 after one quarter against a team as deep and connected as Boston made the rest of the afternoon difficult.

Closing Context

With the win, Boston takes a 1-0 lead in this Eastern Conference first-round series and improves to 56-26 overall after finishing the regular season as the conference’s top team. Philadelphia, which entered the playoffs at 45-37, now heads into Game 2 needing a much sharper offensive showing to even the series before it shifts back home.

Frequently Asked Questions