NBA: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Lead Boston Celtics Past Philadelphia 76ers (108-100) [2-1]

PHILADELPHIA. The Boston Celtics regained control of their first-round playoff series with a 108-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, each with 25 points, led a crucial win that gives Boston a 2-1 series lead in this Eastern Conference matchup.

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Boston needed a response after dropping Game 2 at home and answered with character in a demanding Philadelphia environment. The Celtics managed the crucial moments better and found in their two stars the necessary answer when the game reached its critical stretch.

Jayson Tatum showed very positive signs in his competitive return following Achilles tendon surgery suffered last May. The small forward went 5 of 9 from three-point range in just his 19th game of the season and delivered clutch shots when the game mattered most.

The game remained tightly contested through much of the second half. Tyrese Maxey kept the 76ers afloat with 31 points and energized the arena with a deep three-pointer that put Philadelphia up 85-84 in the fourth quarter. However, Boston's response was immediate.

A Tatum play restored Boston's lead and shortly after, Jaylen Brown took control of the closing stretch. The shooting guard strung together eight consecutive points to open a significant gap and put the Celtics up 96-92, shifting the game's momentum. Brown finished with 25 points and proved decisive once again in the highest-pressure moments.

The Celtics put the game away from beyond the arc. Tatum converted a three-pointer for 100-96, Payton Pritchard added another long-range shot for 103-98, and Tatum sealed it later with another three-pointer that left the game essentially decided. Pritchard contributed 15 points off the bench.

The three-pointer once again made the difference in this NBA playoff series. Boston shot an excellent 20 of 47 from long distance, while Philadelphia managed just 12 of 35. That perimeter superiority proved decisive on a highly competitive night.

For the 76ers, beyond Maxey, Paul George added 18 points. Philadelphia played again without Joel Embiid, still recovering from appendix surgery on April 9. Young VJ Edgecombe finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, though he struggled from outside at 0 of 7 from three-point range.

With this victory, the Boston Celtics regain the emotional advantage in the series and will look to extend their lead in Game 4, which will be played again in Philadelphia this Sunday.