The Boston Celtics issued an early-round statement on Sunday, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at TD Garden.

The Celtics, who are trying to advance to the NBA Finals for the third time in five years, are off to a good start in a quest for banner No. 19. Six players scored in double figures for Boston, including Jaylen Brown, who led the way with 26 points.

And while a familiar cast of Brown and Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics, there were also contributions from relative newcomers like Luka Garza (seven points), Baylor Scheireman (five) and Jordan Walsh (five).

Speaking after the game, Brown was asked what kind of advice he gave to his younger teammates ahead of Game 1.

Per CLNS Celtics on social media:

“Just breathe. Manage your emotions. They might go on a run. They might not go on a run, but just stay together. Win the fight. Be a hard-player team and guard. Don’t save yourself for offense. Offense is going to be fine if we defend — that was my message.”

An inquisitive person by nature, Brown has always been a smart guy and a deep thinker. However, his leadership role has increased this year in the wake of massive roster changes around him. The C's traded Jrue Holliday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason and saw Al Horford leave in free agency. With Tatum sidelined for 66 games because of injury, Brown ascended into an even more meaningful leadership role, and his teammates have certainly responded.

He was recently featured in a lengthy ESPN profile which highlighted his growth in this area as well.

The Celtics and 76ers will take Monday off before reconvening on Tuesday night for Game 2 at TD Garden. Tip-off time is set for 7 p.m. ET.

The big thing to watch will be the availability of 76ers big man Joel Embiid, who had an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He did not play in Game 1 but remains day-to-day.

The game will air on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.

The NBA awards finalists were named on Sunday night, with Joe Mazzulla earning a finalist position in the Coach of the Year race. Brown was not given a top-three spot in the MVP chase and Derrick White will not finish in the top three of Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Remember to join our CELTICS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Celtics fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!