The Boston Celtics entered the 2025-26 season without Jayson Tatum. Many people expected a gap year before a return to championship contender status in 2027. However, they proved their doubters wrong and began their 2026 playoff run with an impressive blowout victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Celtics Legend Paul Pierce Takes Shot at 76ers After Game 1
Boston took down Philadelphia 123-91 on April 19 to take a 1-0 series lead. The Celtics made 16 3-pointers and held the 76ers to 4-of-23 shooting from beyond the arc. Tatum delivered a 25-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist performance. Jaylen Brown also added a game-high 26 points.
Paul Pierce talked about the Celtics’ dominant victory on his “No Fouls Given” podcast. However, instead of hyping up his former squad, he roasted the 76ers.
“I was thoroughly impressed game one, but like, you know, it’s Philly. We haven’t lost to Philly in a playoff series since [1982] … That was Dr. J and all of those guys … When I saw Sixers-Celtics, I was like, “Yeah, I usually go to the Celtics first round, but I don’t even want to waste that,” said Pierce.
The 10-time All-Star made the right call. Boston led for the entire contest and built a 15-point lead after only 12 minutes. Tatum scored 10 points, and the Celtics held Philadelphia to 6-of-21 shooting with six turnovers in the opening frame. The 76ers never recovered.
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They need Joel Embiid back and healthy to have the best chance of making this a long series. Philadelphia’s seven-time All-Star underwent an appendectomy before the play-in tournament.
The 76ers took down the Orlando Magic without Embiid to clinch the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, but the playoffs are a different animal. His status remains up in the air for Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Pierce thinks Philadelphia has no chance of winning this series without Embiid.
“I really didn’t want to waste that trip … Without Embiid, also, come on,” concluded the Celtics legend.
Joel Embiid’s Absence Felt Across the Board
Boston loaded up all of its best defenders on Tyrese Maxey and Paul George without Embiid. George only took eight shots, totaling 17 points and four rebounds. Maxey collected 21 points and eight assists but shot 8-of-20 from the field.
Neither star found a consistent rhythm throughout the contest, but they must perform better for Philadelphia to have any chance for an upset.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse started Adem Bona at center, but he and Andre Drummond struggled on both ends of the floor. Bona finished with three points and three rebounds. Drummond chipped in two points, five rebounds, a steal, and one block.
