The Boston Celtics have entered the postseason with some heightened expectations, and they proved precisely why that’s the case in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday afternoon. The C’s cruised to a 32-point victory over Philly, with the final score settling in at 123-91.
Boston received big games from several players, but it was Jayson Tatum who led the way in this one (25 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST, 9/17 FGM). The manner in which the Celtics destroyed the Sixers indicates that this could be a quick series, but Tatum issued a strong warning to his team immediately after this big win.
Jayson Tatum Warns Celtics About the Sixers
“They’re not a traditional 7th seed. They’re a really, really talented team.”
“Nick Nurse is a championship coach…So you have to show them that respect.”
The 2025-26 campaign was expected to be a gap year for the C’s. After losing several key contributors over the offseason, Boston’s roster looked nothing like it did last season. Beyond that, Tatum was expected to miss the majority of the year recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, which he suffered in last year’s playoffs.
Instead, the Celtics remained one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and they have hit another level since Tatum returned from his aforementioned injury in March. While some folks were skeptical about how Tatum would fare in the postseason, he proved right away in Game 1 against the 76ers that he is ready to lead Boston on another deep run.
By now, Tatum and his longtime partner-in-crime, Jaylen Brown, are used to the ebbs and flows of the playoffs. So while the Celtics destroyed the Sixers on Sunday, Tatum knows that this series is only just getting started, and he warned his teammates that their opponent is still a very talented team, even though they just got handed an ugly 32-point loss.
“They’re not really like a traditional No. 7 seed. They’re a really, really talented team,” Tatum said of the 76ers at his postgame press conference. “Great coaching staff. Nick Nurse is a championship coach … You have to show them that respect, knowing that they’re gonna play better next game. Next game is gonna be tougher. They’re gonna make adjustments.”
Jayson Tatum, Celtics Aim to Keep Their Foot on the Gas in Game 2
GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives on Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
There’s no doubt that the Celtics played great basketball on both ends of the floor, but they also benefited from a rough Sixers’ outing. As a whole, the team missed several wide-open layups, and they shot just 4/23 from three-point land. For as well as Boston played, Tatum is right in saying that Philadelphia is going to be better in Game 2.
And yet, it feels like the Celtics have another level they could hit, too, as there were stretches where their offense dried up in this one. Still, Tatum and company looked ruthlessly efficient in this one, and they will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when they return to action for Game 2, with tip-off being scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.
Jayson Tatum Issues Warning After Celtics’ Blowout Game 1 Victory vs. Sixers