BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics warms up before before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on April 19, 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics returned to playoff basketball on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden with a statement. Philadelphia came in having beaten Orlando in the play-in round, and their fans chanting for this exact matchup. Boston answered with a 123-91 dismantling that was never close, never complicated, and never in doubt.

It was also Jayson Tatum’s first playoff game since rupturing his Achilles at Madison Square Garden. Tatum walked back into the postseason and looked every bit the franchise player Boston has built around. He delivered 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists across 32 minutes, with two first-quarter dunks that made TD Garden shake.

After the final buzzer, Tatum reflected on what the day meant to him.

Tatum Opens Up Postgame

He was asked about his playoff return infront the TD Garden crowd.

“Missing 60-plus games, I missed playing in front of our home crowd,” Tatum said. “Having the opportunity to play a game in the playoffs is special. It’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

The words came out measured and sincere. The road back from Achilles surgery consumed the better part of a year, built around small benchmarks and careful progress. Tatum watched most of Boston’s regular season from the sideline, grinding through the rehab process and wondering whether the version of himself that won a championship in 2024 would be ready when it mattered most. Sunday was the answer.

The Garden responded accordingly. With the Celtics lead swelling past 30 and the outcome long decided, the crowd rose as Tatum came off the floor. He had given them something worth standing for.

GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shows off his jersey before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

What Tatum Did on the Court

The performance backed up every word.

Tatum finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in 32 minutes, and the damage was done early. His first quarter alone featured 10 points, a pair of dunks that rattled the rim, and seven rebounds that kept Philadelphia off the glass.

He carved through the Sixers’ defense with post jumpers and rim attacks, and by the time the first period ended, the tone was set for the afternoon. Jaylen Brown paced all scorers on the night with 26 points, contributing to a Celtics performance that was clinical from the first tip.

The Sixers had no path back into it. Philadelphia’s interior was undermined by Joel Embiid’s absence after the star center required emergency surgery earlier this month. Tyrese Maxey put up 21 points but the Sixers could never find the offensive consistency to apply enough pressure.

During the game, Tatum moved past Kobe Bryant into 11th place on the all-time playoff three-pointer list. His 23rd career 25-10-5 playoff performance also pulled him within striking distance of Larry Bird’s franchise record.

GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives on Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

The Garden Had Its Own Message for the Celtics

After Philadelphia’s fans chanted for this matchup following their play-in win over Orlando, someone inside TD Garden decided to send it back.

The “We want Boston” chant that originated in Philadelphia echoed around the Garden late in the blowout, this time dripping with sarcasm from a crowd that had just watched their team make the request look foolish.

Joe Mazzulla weighed in on the chants postgame.

“I thought our fans were great tonight, helped us get off to a good start. Playoff basketball, which obviously means more. It’s different in Boston, which we appreciate.”

The Celtics crowd will bring the same energy and noise for Game 2.

GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 19: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics goes in for a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Final Word for the Celtics

Tatum said he will never take this for granted. After everything the last eleven months demanded of him, that is not a throwaway line.

The surgery, the rehab, the uncertainty, the careful return across 16 regular season games. All of it pointed toward a moment like Sunday. He showed up for it completely. The Celtics crowd that had waited through all of it showed up too.

Eleven months of work. One playoff performance. Same Tatum.

The playoffs are just getting started.