The Boston Celtics had already done most of the work by the time the fourth quarter arrived Sunday night in Philadelphia. The scoreboard told the story. Boston beat the Philadelphia 76ers 128-96, taking a 3-1 series lead and moving within one win of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Joel Embiid was back. The road crowd had life early. The moment looked like it could shift.
It never did.
By the end of the night, the Celtics were the team controlling the building. Payton Pritchard had delivered the best playoff scoring night of his career. Jayson Tatum had turned a slow start into a complete second half. And Boston was preparing to return home with a chance to finish the series.
Then the chant started.
Brown Responds to Celtics Fans in Philadelphia
The chant had history behind it.
After the 76ers beat the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament, Philadelphia fans called for Boston. On Sunday, with the Celtics in control and the 76ers running out of answers, Celtics fans inside the arena gave it back.
“We Want Boston.”
After the game, Jaylen Brown was asked if he heard it.
“How could you not?” Brown said.
Celtics fans traveled, made themselves heard, and turned a Philadelphia chant into a Boston moment. Brown also made sure the message moved forward. He pointed to Game 5 and told Celtics fans to show up.
“Celtics fans, we travel well. so, you know, we got another win and kind of finish this thing up back at home. So make sure everybody shows up,” Brown said.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 celebrates a basket with Jaylen Brown #7 and Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Celtics Get Spark From Payton Pritchard
Payton Pritchard changed the game for the Celtics in Game 4.
Pritchard scored 32 points and gave the Celtics the kind of bench eruption that can quiet an opponent’s building. He hit six 3-pointers, pushed the pace, and kept applying pressure before Philadelphia could ever settle into the game.
Tatum and Brown were not efficient in the first half, but the Celtics still led 56-38 at the break. Then the Jays found their rhythm.
Tatum finished with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists after a much sharper second half. Brown added 20 points and 7 rebounds, giving Boston three 20-point scorers in a game that became less competitive as it went on.
Boston’s shot profile told part of the story, with 24 made threes setting a franchise playoff mark. The other part came on the glass, where the Celtics owned a 51-30 edge
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics goes in for a layup against Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Boston Handles Joel Embiid’s Return
Embiid’s return gave Philadelphia a real emotional lift before tipoff. It just did not last.
The 76ers center finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, but Boston made everything around him difficult. Philadelphia’s offense never found enough flow, and Boston kept extending possessions whenever the Sixers looked close to a stop.
Boston created extra possessions, finished defensive stops, and kept Philadelphia from turning Embiid’s return into a momentum swing. Derrick White’s chase-down block on Tyrese Maxey captured the night well. Philadelphia had moments where it looked ready to create a spark. Boston kept taking them away.
Now Game 5 goes back to TD Garden on Tuesday night.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three-pointer during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
Brown heard the chant. Everyone did. Philadelphia wanted Boston. Now Boston has a chance to end Philadelphia’s season at TD Garden.
The Celtics are in control, but control is not closure. They still need one more win. Tuesday gives them the opportunity.
Finish it.
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