Celtics Take Control of Series with Game 4 Win Over 76ers as Joel Embiid Returns

The Boston Celtics secured a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers with a dominant 128-96 victory in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup on April 26, 2026. The win came despite the return of Joel Embiid from a seven-game absence due to an appendectomy, as Boston’s balanced attack and defensive intensity proved too much for Philadelphia to overcome.

Payton Pritchard delivered a playoff-career-high performance off the bench, scoring 32 points on efficient shooting, including six made three-pointers. His scoring burst came in key stretches, with 13 points in the first quarter and 14 in the third, helping the Celtics build and maintain a double-digit lead throughout the game. Pritchard’s energy and shooting provided a vital spark for Boston’s second unit, which outscored Philadelphia’s reserves by a significant margin.

Jayson Tatum added 30 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists, continuing his strong postseason play. Though he missed seven of his eight field goal attempts in the first half, Tatum adjusted after halftime and became a primary facilitator, setting up teammates while finding his own scoring rhythm. Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points and seven assists, breaking a scoreless drought in the second quarter to help Boston maintain control.

On the other end, Joel Embiid returned to the lineup after missing the previous seven games following emergency appendectomy surgery on April 6. He played 34 minutes and led the 76ers with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. However, his offensive impact was limited by shot selection, as only six of his 21 field goal attempts came in the paint, and he struggled from beyond the arc, making just five of 15 three-point attempts.

Boston’s dominance was evident early, as they opened the game with a 22-5 run to close the first quarter and never trailed by fewer than 14 points afterward. The Celtics controlled the tempo on both ends of the floor, particularly excelling in rebounding. They recorded 10 offensive rebounds in the first half alone, compared to just two for Philadelphia, creating numerous second-chance opportunities that fueled their offensive output.

The Celtics’ ability to secure extra possessions was highlighted during a first-half sequence where they grabbed four consecutive offensive rebounds on a single possession, a effort praised by bench players and coaching staff. This advantage on the glass allowed Boston to sustain pressure and limit Philadelphia’s chances to reset defensively.

With the win, Boston improved to 36-14 in first-round playoff games over the last decade and moved one victory away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the ninth time in ten years. The team will look to close out the series at home in Game 5 on April 28, 2026, while Philadelphia faces elimination on their home court.

Despite Embiid’s return providing a boost to the 76ers’ lineup, the Celtics’ depth, execution, and rebounding edge proved decisive. Boston’s ability to generate scoring from multiple contributors — including significant bench production — underscored their roster depth and tactical flexibility in a series where they have now taken a stranglehold on the outcome.