Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics host Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers at 1 ET on ABC to open Sunday’s action.
We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Sunday’s action.
We’ve got a quadruple-header as the rest of our series get underway!
The slate opens with 76ers-Celtics (1 ET) and Suns-Thunder (3:30 ET) on ABC, followed by Magic-Pistons (6:30 ET) and Trail Blazers-Spurs (9 ET) on NBC.
What we know about Sunday’s games:
- The Celtics and Sixers are the most familiar opponents in NBA history. They’ve played 116 times across their storied history — Boston’s up 66-50 in the series.
- NBA teams that win Game 1 in the NBA Playoffs have gone on to win the series 77.8% of the time.
APRIL 19, 2026 / 3:10 ET
Seeing green ☘️
Philadelphia was unable to shrink the halftime deficit in the third quarter, as the gap actually widened after another 12 minutes of play.
Three down ✅✅✅ pic.twitter.com/siBWu2Zoth
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 19, 2026
Paul George added to his decorated resume with a second-half triple. He passed Paul Pierce on the all-time postseason rankings for made three. He now sits behind former Laker Derek Fisher.
Congrats to @Yg_Trece of the @sixers for moving up to 14th on the all-time playoff 3-POINTERS MADE list!
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/NHTecMqy47
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
Jaylen Brown is continuing his high level of play from the regular season. He has 26 points through 30 minutes of action as his team is up big late.
JB and PG exchange tough buckets 😤
Celtics hold a healthy lead in Q3 of Game 1! pic.twitter.com/Y34c5kc9Mj
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
APRIL 19, 2026 / 2:25 ET
Back like he never left 🔥
Jayson Tatum was remarkable in the first half, ending with 21 point, 8 rebounds and five assists. It’s hard to imagine that he tore his achilles less than one year ago with the way he looks today.
TATUM ON THE BREAK 💥
GAME-HIGH 21 PTS AT HALF.
CELTICS UP 18 IN GAME 1! pic.twitter.com/cCfvKN3Mbd
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
The rest of Tatum’s team is following suit, resulting in an 18-point advantage at halftime. Philadelphia is searching for answers on both ends of the court. The 76ers are shooting 33.3% from the field, and only Tyrese Maxey is in double figures so far with 14 points.
at the half. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/MxupoxgpsR
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 19, 2026
APRIL 19, 2026 / 1:49 ET
Boston grabs double-digit lead
The first bit of separation settled in late in the first quarter as Boston continued to be active on defense and score in transition. The 76ers have seven turnovers, as the second quarter gets going. Meanwhile, the Celtics are turning those extra possessions into high-quality looks.
LET IT RIP pic.twitter.com/mFcpmSj6PM
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 19, 2026
APRIL 19, 2026 / 1:38 ET
Sixers foul trouble early
Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have two fouls each, and there’s still several minutes to play in the opening quarter. Philadelphia is without Joel Embiid as well, forcing Head Coach Nick Nurse to go small early on.
APRIL 19, 2026 / 1:20 ET
9-1 C’s run, timeout Philly
fast break, no fake 🙅 pic.twitter.com/949JFFoEMO
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 19, 2026
Boston started clicking on both ends following z Paul George free throw that tied this one at six-apiece. The Celtics embarked on a 9-1 run to follow.
QUETA SLAM 💥
Celtics up early in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/g2Axzfx1hV
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
APRIL 19, 2026 / 12:30 ET
VJ Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers face the Boston Celtics to open Sunday’s action on ABC.
Philadelphia:
- PG Tyrese Maxey (31.2 ppg, 7.2 ast)
- SG VJ Edgecbome (18.6 ppg, 6.8 reb)
- SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (15.7 ppg, 5.6 reb)
- PF Paul George (21.4 ppg, 6.6 reb)
- C Andre Drummond (9.7 ppg, 12.5 reb)
Boston:
- PG Derrick White (17.9 ppg, 5.9 ast)
- SG Jaylen Brown (32.0 ppg, 8.0 reb)
- SF Sam Hauser (9.2 ppg, 39.3% on 6.5 3PA)
- PF Jayson Tatum (25.6 ppg, 11.8 reb)
- C Neemias Queta (11.7 ppg, 9.6 reb)
APRIL 19, 2026 / 12:15 ET
Joel Embiid is out, while Tyrese Maxey is available for the 76ers.
Grayson Allen and Mark Williams are questionable for the Suns.
Desmond Bane is probable for the Magic, while Wendell Carter Jr. is available and Jonathan Isaac is questionable.
Jordan McLaughlin is out for the Trail Blazers.
