Celtics-76ers Game 4 takeaways: Boston's historic night, plus the good and bad from Joel Embiid's return
Takeaways from Game 4 between the Celtics and 76ers, with Boston now holding a 3-1 series lead.
One-time NBA MVP Joel Embiid returned to the court just 17 days after undergoing an appendectomy, but even his 26 points could not inspire the Philadelphia 76ers in a 128-96 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of their opening-round playoff series. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven set, 3-1. Payton Pritchard led all scorers with 32 points off the bench for the Celtics (two points shy of Kevin McHale’s franchise-record 34 playoff points off the bench).
Jayson Tatum came within three rebounds of a triple-double, totaling 30 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 7 rebounds for Boston. Embiid’s 26 points led the Sixers, who also got 22 points from Tyrese Maxey.
Now, the takeaways. Payton Pritchard, spark plug Pritchard, the NBA’s 2025 Sixth Man of the Year, sparked a bench barrage. The Celtics guard scored 13 of his 32 points in the opening quarter, even converting a signature buzzer-beater at the end of the first, as his team took an early 34-18 lead.
BUZZER BEATER KING 👑 pic. twitter. com/sgQjj26GEB — Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 26, 2026 The Celtics combined to score 24 points off the bench in the opening quarter, the most ever in the play-by-play era.