The Boston Celtics will host Game 1 of the first-round NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, renewing one of the league’s most storied and intense rivalries. After passing their play-in test with a 12-point home victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, the Sixers have officially punched their ticket into the postseason, setting the stage for a dramatic Eastern Conference showdown.
Few matchups carry the historical weight and competitive fire of Celtics vs. 76ers. While the series history has been heavily lopsided — Philadelphia has not beaten Boston in a playoff series since 1982 — the drama and intensity remain undeniable whenever these two Eastern Conference powerhouses collide for high stakes.
The biggest story heading into the series, however, is the encouraging update coming out of Boston regarding star forward Jayson Tatum. After missing a significant portion of the regular season recovering from Achilles surgery, the 28-year-old has delivered exactly what the Celtics needed as they prepare for the pressure-packed postseason.
Tatum returned to action in early March and has described his reintegration into full-speed play as progressing very well. In 16 games since his return, he has averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. While he has yet to reach his peak form from previous seasons, his contributions have been substantial, particularly on the offensive end with smart reads and on the glass.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed strong satisfaction with Tatum’s progress and mentality heading into the playoffs.
“I think he’s given us exactly what we needed and then some, especially on the offensive end, reading the game and rebounding,” Mazzulla said. “Just the mentality. It’s been a credit to him working to get back. All he cares about is getting better and winning, and that’s been big for us. He’s helped us on the defensive glass, he’s helped us on offensive reads, and he just continues to be as competitive as possible.”
The positive Tatum update comes as a significant boost for a Celtics team that defied expectations this season. Following Tatum’s torn Achilles tendon suffered during last year’s second-round series against the New York Knicks — an injury that sidelined him for more than a year — the franchise was projected to win fewer than 45 games. Instead, Boston has put together a remarkable campaign, securing the No. 2 seed in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Much of that success came in Tatum’s absence, as Jaylen Brown stepped up in a major way. The other half of Boston’s star duo delivered a career-high scoring average and established himself as a legitimate NBA MVP candidate. Brown’s leadership helped carry the Celtics to the second seed, and they likely would have finished first in the East had it not been for the surprising surge of the Detroit Pistons. Brown was also cleared to play this week after missing two of the team’s final three regular-season games.
With both Tatum and Brown healthy and ready for Game 1, the Celtics enter the playoffs as strong favorites to advance through the Eastern Conference. Tatum is determined to make a bigger impact than in last year’s postseason, while Brown’s elevated play has given Boston a dynamic one-two punch that ranks among the league’s best.
As the series tips off, all eyes will be on TD Garden to see if the Celtics can translate their resilient regular season and positive injury news into playoff success. For a franchise with championship aspirations, the message from the coaching staff and locker room is clear: the focus remains solely on getting better and winning when it matters most.