Celtics Dominate Raptors in Playoff Tune-Up

Boston cruises to 127-114 victory over Toronto as Jayson Tatum flirts with triple-double

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:36am

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The Boston Celtics (52-25) defeated the Toronto Raptors (43-34) 127-114 on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, just missing a triple-double. Jaylen Brown added 26 points for Boston, which has now won 9 of its last 11 games. The Raptors were led by RJ Barrett's 25 points, but were without several key starters including Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl.

Why it matters

The Celtics have already clinched a playoff berth and are jockeying for position at the top of the Eastern Conference, while the Raptors are still fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament. This game provided a potential playoff preview as the teams continue to gear up for the postseason.

The details

Boston dominated from start to finish, leading by as many as 22 points. The Celtics shot 52% from the field and 43% from 3-point range, while the Raptors struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Tatum flirted with a triple-double, falling just short in the blowout victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
  • The Celtics have now won 9 of their last 11 games.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward had 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, just missing a triple-double in the win.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' guard scored a team-high 26 points to help lead Boston to the victory.

RJ Barrett

The Raptors' forward scored a team-high 25 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We're really starting to hit our stride at the right time. Jayson was dominant out there and our defense set the tone early.”

— Ime Udoka, Celtics Head Coach

“We just couldn't get it going offensively. Credit to the Celtics, they came out and played with a lot of energy and intensity.”

— Nick Nurse, Raptors Head Coach

What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their strong play as they prepare for the playoffs, while the Raptors will try to bounce back and secure a higher seed to avoid the Play-In Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Celtics' championship aspirations, as they dominated a fellow playoff contender in the Raptors. Tatum's near-triple-double performance highlighted Boston's depth and balance, while the Raptors struggled to find their rhythm without several key starters. The Celtics appear to be peaking at the right time as the postseason approaches.