76ers Beat Celtics 111-97 as VJ Edgecombe Scores 30

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at TD Garden, evening their first-round NBA playoff series at 1-1 behind a standout night from VJ Edgecombe, who led Philadelphia with 30 points and 10 rebounds in a composed road win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Boston opened well and took a 28-25 lead after one, getting an early scoring lift from Jaylen Brown. The Celtics were able to create volume from the perimeter, and their activity on the glass helped them edge the opening period despite Philadelphia staying close.

Second Quarter

The game turned in the second. Philadelphia outscored Boston 37-26 in the quarter and took a 62-54 lead into halftime. The 76ers found their rhythm from 3-point range, moved into cleaner offensive spots, and capitalized on a sharp shooting stretch that changed the tone of the night.

Third Quarter

Boston responded with more defensive resistance after halftime and narrowly won the third quarter 23-22, but the comeback never fully formed. Philadelphia maintained control of the pace, and the Celtics could not make a significant dent in the deficit heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

The 76ers closed with another strong period, outscoring Boston 27-20 in the fourth to secure the 14-point result. Each time the Celtics threatened, Philadelphia answered with timely outside shooting and enough half-court execution to keep the margin steady.

Key Performers

Philadelphia 76ers: Edgecombe delivered the top all-around line of the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey set the table with 9 assists, and Philadelphia’s offense was highly efficient overall, finishing at 47.8 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from 3-point range while making 19 triples.

Boston Celtics: Brown led all scorers for Boston with 36 points and added 7 rebounds. Jayson Tatum contributed on the glass and as a playmaker, finishing with team highs of 14 rebounds and 9 assists, but Boston struggled to convert efficiently, shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 26.0 percent from beyond the arc.

A key moment that continued to circulate after the game was Brown’s emphatic dunk over Adem Bona, a highlight that energized the building. But over the full 48 minutes, Philadelphia’s steadier offensive execution had the larger impact on the outcome.

NerdSports Stat: Philadelphia made 19 three-pointers and only 6 free throws, meaning 51.4 percent of the 76ers’ scoring came from beyond the arc in a playoff road win.

Game Analysis

This result came down largely to shot quality and shot-making. Philadelphia attempted only 39 threes compared with Boston’s 50, yet the 76ers made six more from deep and posted a massive efficiency edge from long range, 48.7 percent to 26.0 percent. That difference offset Boston’s advantages in rebounds, 50-42, and assists, 24-18.

The second quarter was the defining stretch. Philadelphia’s 37 points in the period gave the 76ers control, and Boston spent the rest of the night trying to trim a gap that never fully disappeared. The Celtics generated possessions and opportunities, but too many empty perimeter trips kept them from building sustained pressure.

For Philadelphia, the balance around Edgecombe stood out. Maxey’s 9 assists helped organize the offense, and the 76ers were comfortable playing through both drive-and-kick action and quick perimeter decisions. Boston had individual production, especially from Brown, but the team offense never found enough consistency to swing the game.

Closing Context

With the win, the 76ers evened the Eastern Conference first-round series at 1-1 and regained momentum heading into Game 3. Philadelphia is now 46-37 overall including the postseason context of this series update, while Boston moves to 57-27. After protecting home court in Game 1, the Celtics now head into the next matchup knowing the series is effectively reset.

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