BOSTON — Jayson Tatum delivered a standout performance, scoring 35 points and grabbing seven rebounds, as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night.
With this victory, the Celtics have now triumphed in nine of their last 11 games, bolstered by Tatum’s 24th game this season scoring at least 30 points. Notably, Tatum rested throughout the entire fourth quarter yet still made a significant impact.
Payton Pritchard contributed 19 points, while Derrick White added 12 points to the Celtics’ total. White faced a setback in the first half when an accidental elbow knocked out one of his teeth, but he returned for the third quarter, showcasing his resilience.
The 76ers saw Kelly Oubre Jr. leading their effort with 27 points and Lonnie Walker IV adding 17. However, both teams were missing key players. The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Sam Hauser due to various injuries and illnesses. The 76ers similarly faced challenges, as Joel Embiid, Paul George, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain were sidelined.
Regarding highlights, Oubre tried to bear the burden of scoring for the 76ers, though he struggled without adequate support from his teammates. Meanwhile, for the Celtics, young players continued to shine amidst recovering from recent ailments. Neemias Queta demonstrated growth despite a mid-game coaching admonishment, ending the night with eight points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
A pivotal moment occurred as the Celtics entered the fourth quarter with an 18-point lead, 97-79. Boston then embarked on a 10-0 run to start the final period, with Queta scoring six straight points including two consecutive dunks, which inflated their lead to 30 points, solidifying their advantage.
A notable statistic from the game included Tatum receiving his 10th technical foul of the season during the third quarter, placing him six fouls away from facing a one-game suspension.
Looking ahead, the 76ers will welcome the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, while the Celtics are set to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
