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Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game.
Despite leading the series 3-1, the Boston Celtics crumbled in Game 7 of their first-round matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics fell short 109-100 on Saturday night at the TD Garden. Jaylen Brown had 33 points, nine rebounds and four assists, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Boston’s elimination from the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Derrick White had his best game of the series, finishing with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Neemias Queta added 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
The Celtics were unable to contain Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who combined for 88 of the Sixers’ 109 points.
Embiid had 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Maxey put up 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Edgecombe added 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.
GettyJaylen Brown #7, Derrick White #9, and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Boston Celtics have blown a 3-1 series lead in the playoffs for the first time in its history.
It’s an unwanted piece of history, especially for a team that won an NBA championship two years ago. The Celtics were also the first team ever to have three scoreless starters in a playoff game, as per Micah Adams of Sporting News.
What a moment for Joel Embiid and the Sixers … who last won a playoff series against the Celtics in (whoa) 1982.
It’s the first 3-1 blown series lead in Boston’s playoff history and the first time, per @MAdamsStatGuy’s research, ANY playoff team had three scoreless starters. https://t.co/Owv3CWeXC1
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 3, 2026
Coach Joe Mazzulla made a few changes to his starting lineup in Game 7, putting in Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr. alongside Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
It completely backfired, with the trio combining to go 0-for-7 in a total of 35 minutes on the floor. Mazzulla’s adjustment failed since he had to call on Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser anyway.
Ron Harper Sr. even questioned the Celtics’ offense in the fourth quarter.
“I love basketball can someone explain to me the last 5 mins of @celtics and @76ers game? Boston down by 1 & 3 and keep shooting 3s…. Please help me,” Harper Sr. tweeted.
The Celtics went 13-for-49 from 3-point range in Game 7. They shot 36-for-129 in their last three games
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Payton Pritchard #11 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100.
The Celtics were able to overcome Jayson Tatum’s absence for the majority of the regular season to finish with 56 wins and the second seed in the East. Jaylen Brown turned into an MVP candidate, posting career highs across the board.
They looked like contenders entering the playoffs, dominating the Sixers to take a 3-1 series lead. However, their epic collapse should lead to plenty of questions this offseason.
The new ownership opted to save money last summer, and it could happen again, according to Caleb Hightower of Sporting News. They might explore trading either Brown or Derrick White to improve their depth.
Since 2022, the Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA. But they only have one championship to show for.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He's currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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