Celtics' Depth Shines in Game 1 Rout of 76ers

Mazzulla's squad gets contributions from across the roster in dominant playoff opener.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, white, blue, and red representing the Celtics and 76ers players and the action on the court.The Celtics' depth and versatility were on full display in their dominant Game 1 victory over the 76ers, with contributions coming from across the roster.Philadelphia Today

The Boston Celtics opened their playoff run with a resounding 123-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1. Led by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics showcased their impressive depth as 10 different players saw significant minutes and all made meaningful contributions to the lopsided win.

Why it matters

The Celtics' ability to get production from up and down their roster has been a hallmark of their success all season. This depth gives them flexibility to adjust their lineup and playing style as needed, which could prove crucial as the playoffs progress against tougher competition.

The details

In the Game 1 blowout, the Celtics had 10 players log at least 14 minutes, with all of them scoring, grabbing at least two rebounds, and finishing with a plus-minus of +5 or better. Six Celtics reached double figures in scoring, including Tatum (25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) and Brown (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists). Role players like Sam Hauser, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Luka Garza all made key contributions to the dominant performance.

  • The Celtics opened their playoff run on April 15, 2026.

The players

Joe Mazzulla

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has emphasized the team's depth and ability to get production from anyone on the roster all season.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward, who led the team with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in the Game 1 victory.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' other star forward, who scored 26 points and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the blowout win.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone's got to [stay ready]. We just have a bunch of different ways that we can play. Everyone's got to be ready. It's a credit to them for understanding that.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

“That was Celtic basketball. We've been the harder-playing team all year. That can't change now that the playoffs have started. It's just focusing in, honing in on the details, and just winning the fight.”

— Jaylen Brown

“We play our rotation. We play our guys. That's what we've done the entire year. It's what we'll continue to do. At the end of the day, we've got to do what we've got to do to win, using everybody that we can.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

What’s next

The Celtics and 76ers will face off in Game 2 on April 17, 2026 in Philadelphia.

The takeaway

The Celtics' dominant Game 1 victory over the 76ers showcased the team's greatest strength - their depth and ability to get contributions from every player on the roster. This versatility and 'next man up' mentality has been a hallmark of their success all season and could prove to be a significant advantage as the playoffs progress.