The Philadelphia 76ers used a big second quarter to even the series at one game apiece.
After a dominant performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs first round against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics fell back in a big way in Game 2, dropping the contest 111-97 at TD Garden.
The best-of-seven series is now even at one game apiece as the series shifts to Philadelphia for the first time.
Here's everything you need to know:
Live by the three, die by the three
We covered it before the series started: If the Celtics are not hitting a high volume of threes, they are susceptible to being beaten, and that's what happened here.
Boston hit 13 threes, which is a decent number, but they were just 13-of-50 for a mere 26 percent. Conversely, Philadelphia was 19-of-39 for 49 percent, scoring 18 more points via the arc.
Jaylen Brown shot it well from three, going 5-of-12, but every other Celtics player struggled. Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser were just 2-of-8 each and Derrick White was 2-of-10. Off the bench, nobody hit more than one three.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) in the second half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesInside the numbers
--Brown led the way with 36 points for Boston while Tatum had 19. After six players scored in double figures in Game 1, no other Celtics player was in double figures this time around. White (8), Neemias Queta (8), and Sam Hauser (6) all underperformed offensively. Nikola Vucevic had 9.
--On the other side, VJ Edgecombe had 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting for the 76ers and Tyrese Maxey had 29. Paul George was also solid, going 7-of-13 for 19 points.
--The Celtics won the battle at the free-throw line, going 14-of-18, while Philly was just 6-of-11.
--Boston also out-rebounded the 76ers by seven and had six more assists, but they had four more turnovers (11-7).
--Tatum nearly had a triple-double, also pulling down 14 rebounds and handing out nine assists.
--Five 76ers players were in double figures, with Kelly Oubre (12) and Andre Drummond (10) also securing them.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) in the second half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesAlso need to know
--Game 3 of the series will take place on Friday night in Philadelphia. It will air on Amazon Prime, making it inaccessible to several Celtics fans. It will tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET.
--Boston has won 15 of the 22 lifetime playoff series against Philadelphia, including each of the last six.
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