Celtics vs. 76ers Final Score, Highlights: Boston’s Postseason Poise Shines Down Stretch to Win Game 3 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.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 score1234FCeltics2925252910876ers24232726100Celtics vs. 76ers live updates, highlights from Game 3Final: Celtics 108, 76ers 1009:45 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, 2026The 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 quarter9:19 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 749:03 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 4