Celtics Defeat Raptors 115-101 in Crucial Eastern Conference Matchup

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum lead Boston to third straight win, moving closer to clinching second place in the East.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:03am

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The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-101 in a key Eastern Conference matchup on Sunday. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Celtics to their third straight victory. Neemias Queta had 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Payton Pritchard scored 17 points for Boston. Ja'Kobe Walter led the Raptors with 16 points, while Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett each had 15.

Why it matters

The win moves the Celtics closer to clinching the second seed in the Eastern Conference, avoiding the play-in tournament. The Raptors are fighting for a top-six spot to also avoid the play-in, making this a crucial game in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The details

The Celtics led by just three points entering the fourth quarter, but went on a 16-6 run to pull away, sparked by a long 3-pointer from Payton Pritchard. Jaylen Brown had three baskets, including a pair in quick succession after missing a free throw but grabbing the rebound and converting a layup. The Raptors struggled with turnovers and defensive breakdowns in the final period.

  • The Celtics led 26-26 after the first quarter.
  • The Celtics outscored the Raptors 35-24 in the fourth quarter.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who scored 26 points in the win.

Jayson Tatum

An All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who had 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Ja'Kobe Walter

A guard for the Toronto Raptors who led the team with 16 points.

Brandon Ingram

A forward for the Toronto Raptors who scored 15 points.

RJ Barrett

A guard for the Toronto Raptors who also scored 15 points.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same intensity and focus as we push towards the playoffs.”

— Jayson Tatum, Celtics Forward

“This was a tough loss, but we'll regroup and come back stronger against Miami on Tuesday.”

— Ja'Kobe Walter, Raptors Guard

What’s next

The Celtics will host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, while the Raptors will return home to face the Miami Heat.

The takeaway

This game was a crucial battle in the Eastern Conference playoff race, with the Celtics solidifying their position as a top contender and the Raptors falling further behind in the standings. The Celtics' strong fourth-quarter performance and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Raptors to overcome.