Celtics vs. 76ers Final Score, Highlights: Boston’s Postseason Poise Shines Down Stretch to Win Game 3 originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Celtics made a statement at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 to reclaim control of the first-round series. After splitting the first two games in Boston, the Celtics relied on their veterans down the stretch to win 108-100 and take a 2-1 series lead.
Leading the charge for Boston was Jayson Tatum, who finished with 27 points, burying a contested step-back triple to push the lead to two possessions with under two minutes remaining and the crowd at a fever pitch,. Jaylen Brown was equally vital, turning in a disciplined 25-point performance that kept the Celtics steady whenever Philadelphia threatened to pull away.
Philadelphia was powered by a relentless Tyrese Maxey, who poured in a game-high 32 points and nearly willed the 76ers to a comeback. However, the Celtics playoff experience eventually took its toll in the closing minutes. The game was finally put out of reach by Payton Pritchard, who hit a deep dagger from the wing to ice the victory and silence the Philadelphia faithful.
With the win, Boston regains the home-court advantage they surrendered on Tuesday. The Celtics will now look to take a commanding 3-1 lead when the series continues Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. For Joe Mazzulla’s group, the focus remains on maintaining the defensive intensity that limited Philly’s supporting cast and ensured Tatum and Brown’s scoring carried the night.
Follow along right here for the latest updates and highlights from Game 3 between the Celtics and 76ers.
Celtics vs. 76ers score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Celtics | 29 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 108 |
| 76ers | 24 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 100 |
Celtics vs. 76ers live updates, highlights from Game 3
Final: Celtics 108, 76ers 100
9:45 p.m.: It’s a massive road win for the Boston Celtics, who take a 2-1 lead in the series.
In a back-and-forth affair with the 76ers, the Celtics experience shined through. Big plays by Tatum, Brown and Pritchard down the stretch kept the 76ers at arms length to cement a 108-100 victory.
The teams will return to action on Sunday night for Game 4, but for now, Boston did what it needed to do: win.
9:44 p.m.:: The Celtics are up six with six seconds left and look en route to a Game 3 victory.
White is at the free throw line, shooting two.
9:36 p.m.: Payton Pritchard is a tough maker, and that’s why right there.
With the Celtics up two, Pritchard gets a defender to fake and lobs up a three at the end of the shot clock, and it goes in. The Celtics are up five with 58 seconds remaining.
PAYTON PRITCHARD DAGGER pic.twitter.com/piX0sgAuFq
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) April 25, 2026
The Sixers will shoot two free throws out of the timeout.
9:35 p.m.: The game was 97-96 and Tatum came up big, hitting a three to make it a two-score game.
9:33 p.m.: With 2:39 left, Tatum is going to the line with the Celtics up two. He hits one to make it 97-94.
9:28 p.m.: After the Celtics take their largest lead of the half, the Sixers rattle off five points to make it a one-score game. Joe Mazzulla calls a timeout.
It’s 92-90 with over four minutes left.
9:26 p.m.: The Celtics’ playoff experience is showing through, taking a seven-point lead with 5:20 left in the final quarter
9:19 p.m.: Boston has reclaimed a three-point lead. Brown makes a stellar defensive play and dishes it to White, who makes the layup.
It’s 88-85.
9:12 p.m.: Philly has the lead, and it’s Maxey once again. Here, he hits a tough triple as the 76ers make it 85-84 with 8:41 remaining.
9:11 p.m.: The Celtics lead 82-80 and will have possession after an Edgecombe travel. There’s just under 10 minutes left.
Tatum scores on a layup to make it a two-score game.
End of the third quarter: Celtics 79, 76ers 74
9:03 p.m.: We head to the final quarter with the Celtics up five.
A deep three by Pritchard gave Boston some cushion, and with 12 minutes to go, it’s 79-74.
8:55 p.m.: It’s a close game and the tensions are high. With just under three minutes remaining, it’s 71-70 Celtics.
Expect this game to go down to the wire.
8:49 p.m.: With the 76ers up one, Andre Drummond has been issued a technical foul, sending the Celtics to the line with a chance to tie the game. He does that, and the Celtics have possession.
8:44 p.m.: The 76ers have taken the lead with a 12-0 run. Tyrese Maxey hits a three to give Philadelphia its first lead since it was 16-15 in the first. Now, the Celtics trail halfway through the third.
8:39 p.m.: Philadelphia is storming back, and at the commercial break the Celtics lead is two.
Momentum is with the home side.
8:34 p.m.: Tatum hits a three to extend the Celtics lead to 10 early in the second half. But, the 76ers respond with five straight points.
8:31 p.m.: It’s time for the third quarter in Philadelphia.
The Celtics hold onto a seven-point lead and are 24 minutes away from a Game 3 win. Let’s see how the second half unfolds.
Halftime: Celtics 54, 76ers 47
8:16 p.m.: At halftime, the Celtics lead by seven.
Defense ➡️ Offense 👌 pic.twitter.com/ZZfjQ71aat
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 25, 2026
It was a back-and-forth half with both teams shooting over 40% from the field. In the second half, expect both offenses, especially from behind the arc, to be the catalyst for both teams looking for a 2-1 series lead.
8:08 p.m.: As halftime approaches, the Celtics still lead by five. Brown is the only scorer on either side in double digits with 11.
8:01 p.m.: George suffered a blow and needed to be checked on by trainers, but he’s all good to go. Though, it’s a second foul on Brown.
It’s 43-38 with 5:46 remaining.
7:50 p.m.: The Celtics have hit four straight threes to take a 10-point lead. But, on the other end, Paul George makes his first shot of the night.
7:47 p.m.: It’s an eight-point lead for Boston, with Derrick White nailing another three after a Baylor Scheierman rebound.
End of the first quarter: Celtics 29, 76ers 24
7:41 p.m.: At the end of the first, the Celtics lead by five.
Tatum and Brown lead scoring with six and seven, respectively.
7:37 p.m.: Boston has a six point lead, with Tatum hitting a three pointer to give the Celtics their largest lead of the game.
7:31 p.m.: With three minutes left in the first, it’s a tie game. Both teams started cold from the field but have since exchanged shot after shot.
7:28 p.m.: The teams are going back-and-forth in Philadelphia.
After Maxey hits a layup to give the 76ers a four-point lead, Nikola Vucevic nails a three to cut the lead to one.
7:25 p.m.: Payton Pritchard ties the game, making his first three of the night. Then, on the other side, the Celtics get Edgecombe to take a difficult shot and miss.
Boston can’t score on the other end, and Maxey hits his first three to quickly take the lead; but then, Brown responds with one of his own.
7:22 p.m.: Five minutes into the first, the Celtics trail by three. Philadelphia is currently on a 9-2 run.
7:17 p.m.: After taking a 4-0 lead, the Celtics have given up seven straight as the 76ers take their first lead.
It’s 7-4 Sixers early on.
7:13 p.m.: After a stop, the Celtics capitalize on the other end of the floor, with Jaylen Brown scoring the first two points of the game.
7:13 p.m.: We are underway in Philadelphia.
The 76ers have the first possession.
7:04 p.m.: It’s time for tipoff.
Will the Celtics retake the series lead or will Philadelphia win two straight?
6:55 p.m.: After a cold shooting performance in Game 2 where they shot just 26% from deep, Joe Mazzulla’s squad will need a significant bounce-back from its supporting cast to complement Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
The defensive priority will be containing Tyrese Maxey and rookie standout Edgecombe, who combined for 59 points on Tuesday to steal home-court advantage.
6:45 p.m.: 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe had 30 points in Philadelphia’s Game 2 win, and tonight, he looks to become one of the youngest players ever to have consecutive 30+ point games in the postseason.
The doors to VJ Maxx are opening soon 🔥
Watch Celtics-76ers Game 3 on @primevideo, coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/GD6llTVQUs
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 24, 2026
6:34 p.m.: Here is tonight’s starting five for Boston, and it’s the usuals.
Tonight’s Starting 5️⃣@DraftKingspic.twitter.com/Yh426fKTNu
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2026
6:26 p.m.: Jayson Tatum and Boston are getting some warmups in.
Jayson Tatum made this trick shot look too easy 🤯
Watch Celtics-76ers Game 3 on @primevideo, coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Zhj9DnYoCb
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 24, 2026
Tatum had 19 points in Boston’s Game 2 loss after having 25 in Game 1.
6:17 p.m.: The Celtics are on-site at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Cause it’s level to this…😤#JetBlueRunwaypic.twitter.com/ehkQTjvMua
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2026
Tipoff is less than an hour away.
6:06 p.m.: Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid for the third straight game this playoffs as he recovers from appendicitis surgery.
Source confirms that Joel Embiid is out tonight.
He was gonna try to come here and see if he could warm up. But after meeting with doctors. He is out tonight. We will see about Sunday night.@TimBontemps first reported pic.twitter.com/TX2hN6IUo2
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 24, 2026
6 p.m.: Tonight, the Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers in a massive Game 3 in the City of Brotherly Love.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Celtics look to reclaim home court advantage. It was an uncharacteristic loss on Sunday, and Joe Mazzulla’s team looks to get back on track.
Gotta play 𝙤𝙪𝙧 brand of ball ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ki4AlZO4JU
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2026
Follow along for live updates throughout the night as Boston looks to retake the series lead.
How to watch Celtics vs. 76ers Game 3: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream:Prime Video
Celtics vs. 76ers will not air on a national TV channel. The game will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video, which is currently offering a 30-day free trial for new users.
Celtics vs. 76ers Game 3 start time
- Date: Friday, April 24
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
Celtics vs. 76ers is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24. The game will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Celtics vs. 76ers schedule: Celtics lead 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 19 | Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91 | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100 | 7 p.m. | Prime Video |
| April 26 | Game 4: Celtics vs. 76ers | 7 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| April 28 | Game 5: 76ers vs. Celtics | 7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app |
| April 30 | Game 6*: Celtics vs. 76ers | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 7*: 76ers vs. Celtics | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary