Getty

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Justin Edwards #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics fight for the rebound in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

He already hit one from the left wing, so Jayson Tatum veered right this time, sizing up the matchup with Philadelphia 76ers big man Adem Bona. 

Sixers fans sensed the feeling of unease dispersing into the arena atmosphere as Tatum walked the basketball closer to the 3-point line. 

Giving in one more hard dribble, Tatum, the medical marvel himself, rose into a contested jumper.

Moments later, he let out a primal yell more audible than the nearly roughly 20,000 Sixers fans in attendance. 

GettyJayson Tatum could climb into the top five in playoff three-pointers before he retires

That 3-pointer gave Tatum his second deep-range bucket in the clutch and his 23rd, 24th and 25th points of the night. 

No. 0 is so back.

The Celtics showed their grit in an eight-point road victory coming off a disappointing home loss in Game 2. The Sixers saw the opportunity to take a commanding 2-1 lead, but the Tatum-led Celtics had other plans. 

Jayson Tatum Stamps Name in Huge Road Performance

He continues to check off all the boxes. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy in a walking boot just a few months ago. Even harder to believe he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon just under a year ago. 

His swift movements and visible swagger has us all forgetting he returned to professional basketball after a 10-month layoff just last month. 

In the Game 3 win, Tatum recorded 25 points (six in the final two minutes), five rebounds and seven assists. He shot over 50% from both the field and 3-point line. 

After the game, the Celtics announced on their official X account that Tatum was named the Xfinity Mobile Player of the Game.

Let me pull out a line the kids nowadays like to use.

Scoring 25 points in the playoffs and being named the player of the game just a month after returning from a torn Achilles is crazy!

C’s Past Crucial Test As Another One Awaits

Crazy indeed, but the Celtics are far from being comfortable. 

Game 4 is right back in Philadelphia with the Sixers having the opportunity to tie up the series before heading back to Boston. The series could be dead even heading into Game 5 — that’s not where the Celtics expected to be before this series started.

Boston has shown superior resolve since the 2023-24 season, recording a 60-13 record coming off a loss. Even if the Celtics manage to drop Game 4, they’d still feel good about re-claiming the series lead back in TD Garden.

But returning home with a 2-2 tie sounds a lot worse than a 3-1 advantage. 

To win Sunday’s Game 4, the Celtics will need a lot of what they showed in Game 3: fearlessness, sheer grit. 

Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for a hard-earned 50 points, but Payton Pritchard’s 15 points and Nikola Vucevic’s 11 points helped Boston secure the edge. 

It takes that kind of collective effort to pull off a road win against a postseason rival. 

A pivotal Game 4 in Xfinity Mobile Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. on Sunday night. We’ll see if Philly punches back or if Boston deals a major blow.