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Celtics crush Sixers 144-106 in first preseason matchup

The Boston Celtics opened their preseason campaign with a commanding 144-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, delivering their first real glimpse of a revamped roster in action. Key contributors included Payton Pritchard, who scored 25 points, and Jayson Tatum, who added 23, as the Celtics dominated from the start.

The game marked the debut of Paul George and Mitchell Robinson in green jerseys, alongside the return of Derrick White, Tatum, Neemias Queta, Pritchard, and Sam Hauser, who had all missed Thursday’s preseason opener against Cleveland. Boston’s lineup featured White, Jordan Walsh, Tatum, George, and Robinson up front, while Hauser, Queta, and Pritchard came off the bench early in the season.

The Sixers, missing stars like Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Jaylen Brown, struggled against a Celtics team that found its rhythm midway through the first quarter, with Tatum and George leading the charge in the second half of the frame. Injuries and absences also played a role, as Ron Harper Jr.

sat out with shoulder soreness and Devin Carter was out due to illness, while Philly’s starting lineup included Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Dean Wade, and Jabari Walker.

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