PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Tatum came through in a big way for the Boston Celtics, scoring 13 of his total 35 points in the final quarter, helping the team stage an impressive comeback from a 26-point deficit to secure a 118-110 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
In addition to his scoring, Tatum contributed significantly with 11 assists and seven rebounds. His teammate Jaylen Brown also had a strong performance, finishing the game with 21 points, along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Kristaps Porzingis played well, adding 18 points to the scoreboard, while Derrick White chipped in with 17 points.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey was a standout player, scoring 23 points in the first half alone, which helped the team establish a 23-point lead by halftime. Overall, Maxey ended the game with 34 points, marking his fifth consecutive game with 30 or more points and the 14th straight game in which he scored 28 or more.
Kelly Oubre also made a significant contribution for Philadelphia, notching 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Guerschon Yabusele recorded 21 points for the 76ers, while Ricky Council IV contributed 11 points, eight assists, and seven boards.
Key insights from the game suggest that Tatum and Brown were not the only contributors for the Celtics during the critical fourth quarter, as they collectively scored 25 of the first 31 points. White and Sam Hauser each hit two 3-pointers, and a crucial 3-pointer from Tatum with 6:51 remaining gave Boston a lead they would not relinquish at 101-100.
The 76ers had previously secured a victory against the Celtics, winning 118-114 on Christmas Day, thanks to notable performances from Joel Embiid and Caleb Martin, both of whom missed Sunday’s matchup due to injuries.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the 76ers extended their lead to 94-72 with a dunk from Yabusele late in the third quarter. However, the Celtics responded vigorously, trimming the deficit to 14 by the end of three quarters. They launched a remarkable 33-6 scoring run as they entered the final frame.
A critical statistic from the game highlights the Celtics’ shooting performance. After struggling with a 33.3% shooting rate in the first half, they bounced back impressively, shooting 28 of 42 (67.7%) in the second half and achieving an even better 15 for 22 (68.2%) in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will travel to Cleveland on Tuesday for a matchup against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, while the 76ers are set to host Dallas on the same day.
