By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Boston Celtics moved within one victory of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, after a win, 128–96, over the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday.
The victory, fueled by 24 three-pointers, gave Boston a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series despite the return of Joel Embiid. Payton Pritchard led the charge with 32 points, while Jayson Tatum added 30 points and 11 assists to spoil the 32-year-old center’s comeback from an appendectomy.
Success was bolstered by a significant European contingent that provided critical production across the rotation. Portuguese starter Neemias Queta was a model of efficiency, chipping in nine points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and adding eight rebounds and a block. Off the bench, Bosnian big man Luka Garza remained productive with six points and three rebounds, while Montenegro’s Nikola Vucevic contributed four points and five boards. The depth extended to the final minutes, where Ukraine’s Max Shulga connected on a three-pointer and Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez provided two assists, but British Amari Williams did not play.
On the opposite side, Turkish center Adem Bona was limited to a reserve role and to four minutes, tallying four points on 2-of-2 shooting as the team coached by Nick Nurse struggled to keep pace with Boston’s perimeter onslaught.
Following a dominant first-quarter run, Joe Mazzulla’s squad never looked back, setting the stage for a potential series clincher. The C’s now head back to TD Garden for Game 5 on Tuesday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-2 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 2-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 3-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-0 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions