Celtics Edge 76ers in Tight Game 3, Take 2-1 Series Lead

The Boston Celtics secured a 108-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on April 24, 2026, taking a 2-1 series lead. The win came on the road at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where the Celtics withstood a strong performance from Tyrese Maxey to clinch the crucial road win.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 points for Boston, combining for 50 of the Celtics’ 108 points. Tatum added seven assists while Brown grabbed seven rebounds. Derrick White contributed 18 points off the bench, providing vital scoring depth for the visiting team.

For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 31 points on 5-of-13 shooting from three-point range, adding six assists. Though, the 76ers received minimal support beyond Maxey, as no other Philadelphia player reached double figures in scoring. VJ Edgecombe led Philadelphia with 10 rebounds while scoring 10 points on 5-of-17 shooting.

The game featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings. After the 76ers tied the game at 64-64 in the third quarter, Philadelphia went on a 17-4 run to take a 67-65 lead. Boston responded in the fourth quarter, eventually taking the lead for good after a key sequence where Philadelphia’s Alex Boucher fouled out with the Celtics up 107-100 with just six seconds remaining.

The Celtics shot 46% from the field compared to Philadelphia’s 41%, while Boston made 12 three-pointers to the 76ers’ 8. Boston as well held a slight edge in rebounds (42-40) and assists (25-20). Philadelphia committed 15 turnovers compared to Boston’s 11, a difference that proved costly in the tight contest.

With the victory, Boston improves to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series and returns home for Game 4 with an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The 76ers now face elimination pressure in Game 4, needing to win at home to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series.

The Celtics will look to build on their road success as the series shifts back to TD Garden in Boston for Game 4. Philadelphia must adjust its offensive approach to get more contributions from supporting players if they hope to extend the series beyond Game 4.

This victory marks Boston’s second road win in the series, demonstrating their ability to perform in hostile environments during the 2026 NBA playoffs. The Celtics’ balanced scoring attack and defensive resilience proved too much for a 76ers team that relied too heavily on Maxey’s individual brilliance.

As the series continues, both teams will need to make adjustments based on the trends established in the first three games. Boston aims to maintain its defensive intensity while Philadelphia seeks to develop a more balanced offensive attack to complement Maxey’s scoring.

Fans can follow the series progression through official NBA channels as the Celtics and 76ers prepare for Game 4, scheduled to take place in Boston in the coming days.

What are your thoughts on the Celtics’ road victory and the 76ers’ chances to bounce back in Game 4? Share your predictions for the remainder of this Eastern Conference playoff series in the comments below.