NBA Playoffs: Celtics Take 3-1 Lead Over 76ers as Payton Pritchard Shines with Career Playoff-High 32 Points

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

PHILADELPHIA — The Boston Celtics didn’t just win Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. They dismantled them.

A 128-96 victory at Wells Fargo Center — verified by the official NBA box score — gave Boston a commanding 3-1 series lead and put them one win away from advancing to the second round. While Jayson Tatum (30 points) and Jaylen Brown (20 points) delivered their usual star power, it was 6-foot-1 guard Payton Pritchard who stole the spotlight with a career playoff-high 32 points, igniting the Celtics’ bench and rewriting franchise record books in the process.

Pritchard’s Historic Night: A Bench Player’s Breakout

Coach Joe Mazzulla’s decision to give Pritchard 35 minutes off the bench paid off in historic fashion. The third-year guard shot 50% from three-point range (6-of-12), 57% from the field (12-of-21) and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, while also contributing five assists and four rebounds. His performance wasn’t just efficient — it was record-setting.

According to StatMuse, Pritchard became just the third Celtics player in franchise history to score 30+ points off the bench in a playoff game, joining Kevin McHale (33 points in 1985) and Eddie House (31 points in 2009). His 32 points also marked the second-highest playoff total by a Celtics bench player in team history, trailing only House’s 31-point outburst.

“I feel like I give hope to everybody that is the same size as me,” Pritchard said postgame, per the Celtics’ official postgame transcript. “With hard operate, you can make it a long way, and I’m a prime example of that.”

The message resonated beyond the stat sheet. Pritchard’s ability to dominate against a 76ers team featuring towering defenders like Joel Embiid and Adem Bona — both standing at 6-foot-10 or taller — underscored his fearless approach. His six three-pointers tied the Celtics’ single-game playoff record for threes by a bench player, a mark previously shared by House and Terry Rozier.

Tatum and Brown Deliver, But Celtics’ Depth Decides It

While Pritchard’s explosion provided the spark, Boston’s stars ensured the flame didn’t flicker. Tatum, who entered the game averaging 28.3 points in the series, scored 30 on 11-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep. Brown added 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, continuing his two-way dominance in the playoffs.

The Celtics’ depth proved decisive. Boston outscored Philadelphia’s bench 42-18, with Pritchard’s 32 points nearly matching the 76ers’ entire second-unit output (18 points). The Celtics also dominated the glass (48-38) and shot 50% from the field as a team, per the official play-by-play.

“We’ve got guys who can step up in any moment,” Tatum said. “Payton was unbelievable tonight. That’s what makes us dangerous.”

Embiid’s Return Can’t Slow Celtics’ Momentum

The 76ers entered Game 4 with a jolt of energy: Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP, returned to the lineup after missing the first three games of the series due to a knee injury. But even with Embiid (18 points, 10 rebounds) back in the fold, Philadelphia struggled to contain Boston’s balanced attack.

The Celtics’ 32-point margin of victory was their largest in a playoff game since 2017, and their 24 three-pointers tied a franchise playoff record. For context, the 76ers — who shot 38.5% from the field — managed just nine threes on 33 attempts.

What’s Next: Celtics Eye Series Clincher in Game 5

With a 3-1 lead, Boston can close out the series in Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. UTC), with national coverage on TNT.

For the 76ers, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Philadelphia has never come back from a 3-1 deficit in franchise history, a fact that looms large as they face elimination. Embiid, who played 32 minutes in his return, will need to be at full strength to extend the series.

“We’ve got to be better,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “We can’t let one game define us, but we also can’t let this series conclude like this.”

Key Takeaways

• Pritchard’s 32 points marked the second-highest playoff total by a Celtics bench player in franchise history, per StatMuse.
• Boston shot 50% from the field and hit 24 three-pointers, tying a franchise playoff record.
• The Celtics’ bench outscored Philadelphia’s 42-18, with Pritchard nearly matching the 76ers’ entire second-unit output.
• Joel Embiid returned from injury but couldn’t slow Boston’s momentum, as the Celtics won by 32 points — their largest playoff margin since 2017.
• Game 5 is Wednesday, April 29, at TD Garden (7:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. UTC).

Why This Game Matters

Pritchard’s breakout performance wasn’t just a statistical anomaly — it was a statement. In an era where NBA rosters are increasingly built around size and athleticism, his 32-point outburst served as a reminder that skill and determination can still trump physical limitations. His postgame comments about giving hope to “everybody that is the same size as me” resonated with fans and players alike, particularly those who’ve been told they’re too small to compete at the highest level.

For the Celtics, the win reinforced their status as the Eastern Conference’s most complete team. While Tatum and Brown remain the focal points, Boston’s depth — from Pritchard to Al Horford (10 points, 8 rebounds in Game 4) — gives them a luxury few contenders can match. The Celtics are now 8-2 in playoff games over the past two postseasons when their bench scores 30+ points, per Basketball-Reference.

Defensively, Boston’s ability to limit Embiid — who averaged 33.1 points per game during the regular season — to just 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting was equally impressive. Mazzulla’s game plan, which included frequent double-teams and aggressive closeouts on Philadelphia’s shooters, stifled the 76ers’ offense for long stretches.

What to Watch in Game 5

If the Celtics hope to close out the series on Wednesday, they’ll need to address two key areas:

1. Embiid’s Health and Minutes: The 76ers’ MVP played 32 minutes in Game 4, his first action since April 17. Will Nurse increase his workload in a must-win scenario, or will fatigue become a factor?
2. Celtics’ Three-Point Shooting: Boston’s 24 threes were a franchise playoff record, but can they sustain that level of accuracy? The Celtics shot 41.5% from deep in the regular season, but playoff defenses tend to tighten up.

For Philadelphia, the path forward is narrow but not impossible. The 76ers must find a way to slow Pritchard — who shot 50% from three in Game 4 — while also generating more offense from players like Tyrese Maxey (19 points in Game 4) and Tobias Harris (12 points).

“We’ve got to be desperate,” Maxey said. “This is the NBA Playoffs. There’s no tomorrow if we don’t win.”

How to Follow the Series

• Game 5: Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. UTC) at TD Garden. TV: TNT.
• Official Updates: Follow the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on NBA.com for real-time scores and highlights.
• Live Stats: Check the official NBA box score for Game 5.

What’s your take? Can the 76ers force a Game 6, or will the Celtics close out the series on Wednesday? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Archysport on Twitter and Instagram for more NBA playoff coverage.