Celtics defeat 76ers 108-100 in Game 3 with 25 points each from Tatum and Brown

The Boston Celtics secured a 108-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each contributed 25 points to power Boston’s offense, continuing their strong postseason performances.

According to the game recap from ESPN, Tatum shot 52.9% from the field even as adding seven assists, four rebounds, a steal and just one turnover. Brown was equally efficient, making 56.2% of his shots and contributing seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal in 40 minutes of play.

The Sporting News reported that Tatum’s performance marked a significant milestone, as he became the fourth Celtics player in franchise history to reach 3,000 career playoff points, joining Larry Bird, John Havlicek and Kevin McHale. Tatum is now only the third player in NBA playoff history to accumulate 3,000-plus points, 1,000-plus rebounds and 500-plus assists within their first 10 seasons, alongside Bird and LeBron James.

Brown’s 25-point effort moved him into seventh place on the Celtics’ all-time playoff scoring list, surpassing Bill Russell and Robert Parish. His all-around impact — including defensive contributions — was highlighted as a key factor in Boston’s ability to withstand Philadelphia’s late surge.

Despite the win, the Celtics struggled to pull away early, with the game remaining tightly contested throughout. Coach Joe Mazzulla was credited with making crucial in-game adjustments that helped Boston maintain composure during critical stretches. The victory improved Boston’s series position after dropping Game 2 111-97, following a dominant 32-point Game 1 win.

In postgame remarks captured by CelticsBlog, both Tatum and Brown acknowledged the 76ers’ resilience and emphasized the need for continued improvement. Brown noted that Philadelphia “out-competed us” in Game 2 due to better intensity and execution, particularly on defense and rebounding, but praised his team’s mindset moving forward.

“I trust our group,” Brown said after Game 2. “We’ve grown a lot over the course of the season. Obviously, This represents the ultimate test, playing in the playoffs, and we got players who have gotten better and developed, and we’re gonna rely on them.” Tatum echoed the sentiment, crediting the 76ers for their pride and effort while affirming Boston’s confidence in its ability to adjust.

The 76ers shot 48.7% from three-point range in Game 2 (19-39), a stark contrast to Boston’s 26% mark (13-50), which contributed to their loss. In Game 3, Boston improved its perimeter shooting and defensive discipline, helping limit Philadelphia’s second-chance opportunities and transition points.

With the series now at 2-1 in favor of Boston, Game 4 is set to be played in Philadelphia. The Celtics will look to extend their lead on the road, while the 76ers aim to even the series and return to Boston with momentum. No official date or time for Game 4 has been confirmed in the verified sources consulted.

As the Eastern Conference semifinals progress, the performances of Tatum and Brown continue to draw attention for their scoring efficiency, leadership and two-way impact. Their ability to deliver in high-pressure moments has been a defining feature of Boston’s playoff run thus far.

For ongoing updates on the Celtics-76ers series, including game schedules, injury reports and postgame analysis, fans are encouraged to follow official team channels and trusted sports news outlets.

What did you believe of the Celtics’ Game 3 performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for more coverage as the playoffs unfold.