The Boston Celtics are in a commanding position as they return to TD Garden for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, holding a 3-1 lead and standing one win away from advancing.
Momentum is firmly on Boston’s side after a dominant Game 4 performance in Philadelphia, where they set a franchise playoff record with 24 three-pointers and controlled the game from start to finish. Now, with the series shifting back to Boston, the Celtics are in an ideal position to close things out on home court.
Boston at Full Strength for Closeout Opportunity
Ahead of Tuesday’s Game 5, the Celtics received a significant boost: a clean bill of health. No players appear on the injury report, meaning head coach Joe Mazzulla will have his full rotation available for a potential series-clinching matchup.
Having a fully healthy roster at this stage of the playoffs gives Boston added flexibility on both ends of the floor. It also allows them to adjust seamlessly depending on how Philadelphia approaches the game, particularly in a high-pressure closeout scenario.
Embiid Expected to Suit Up for Philadelphia
On the other side, Philadelphia will again look to lean heavily on Joel Embiid, who is listed as probable for Game 5. The star center recently returned from a medical absence and immediately made an impact in Game 4, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Despite his production, it was not enough to prevent a heavy defeat, as Boston controlled the contest from early on and pulled away for a comfortable win. The 76ers will now need another strong performance from Embiid while hoping for significantly improved support from the rest of the roster.
Game 4 Showed the Gap
Boston’s Game 4 win highlighted the depth and balance that has defined their postseason so far. Payton Pritchard delivered a breakout performance with 32 points and six made threes, while Jayson Tatum contributed across the board with 30 points and 11 assists. Jaylen Brown added a steady 20-point outing as the Celtics dominated both pace and possession.
The Celtics also controlled the boards decisively, outrebounding Philadelphia 51–30, and built a double-digit lead by halftime that the Sixers never threatened to erase.
Philadelphia’s offense struggled to find rhythm outside of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, with the Celtics’ defensive pressure limiting quality looks and disrupting flow for long stretches.
One Win Away from the Next Round
With confidence high and no injury concerns, Boston now returns home with a clear objective: finish the series. Philadelphia, meanwhile, faces the difficult task of extending the matchup while relying heavily on Embiid’s health and endurance.
The Celtics have already shown they can handle the Sixers’ best punch. If Game 4 was any indication, Boston is not only in control of the series — they are peaking at the right time.
Game 5 now presents a simple equation: one more win, and the Celtics move on.
