Three Studs, Three Duds As Celtics Begin Second Half With Win Over Sixers

The Boston Celtics returned from the All-Star break and immediately hit the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia, unlike for most of its horrendous campaign, played both stars Joel Embiid and Paul George — Embiid entered the night having played 17 games. George had been battling a pinky injury while Embiid, an active participant in this past summer’s 2024 Paris Olympics for USA Basketball, has most recently been battling a left foot sprain.

Considering the Sixers failed miserably to maintain a competitive edge throughout the first half of the season, going 20-34 as the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference before All-Star weekend, contention seems unlikely. Boston reminded the City of Brotherly Love why Philadelphia doesn’t belong in the conversation at all.

The Celtics left Philadelphia with an improved 40-16 record, and winners in six of their last seven matchups with the Sixers.

Here are three studs and three duds from Boston’s 124-104 win over Philadelphia:

STUDS
Payton Pritchard
Boston’s sixth man turned down participating in All-Star Weekend’s 3-point contest, and the decision to keep his hot hand rested paid off. Pritchard scored a game-high 28 points off the bench, knocking down eight 3-point attempts while dishing out four assists. The undersized guard put the league back on notice for why his name sits at the forefront of this season’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year conversation.

Jayson Tatum
It was an early clock-out for Tatum in Philadelphia, but not before the six-time All-Star notched his fourth career triple-double.

Tatum proved once again he’s a do-it-all star capable of contributing from all areas of the floor. The 26-year-old scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and tallied 10 assists — along with a steal — to finish the night with a plus-19 rating. In a star-studded matchup, Tatum stood alone as the most dominant performer on the court.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pulled Tatum for the final 8:46 and replaced him with midseason addition Torrey Craig.

Boston’s bench
Pritchard led the charge for the reserve unit, but the bench as a whole played a key factor in drowning the Sixers from ever keeping up. Al Horford scored 11 points in 18 minutes while Luke Kornet scored six and Sam Hauser pitched in with three, as the Celtics bench combined to score 48 points.

Philadelphia’s bench totaled 26 points.

DUDS
Joel Embiid
The nightmare continues for those in Philadelphia and Embiid, the franchise star, isn’t making the process any easier.

Embiid made the start for the Sixers and scored a subpar 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field with three rebounds and four assists. The 7-foot veteran got out-rebounded by six Philadelphia teammates and barely looked invested in the battle.

Guerschon Yabusele
Throughout the season, Yabusele’s been one of the league’s most reliable off-the-bench contributors. But not on Thursday night.

Yabusele, a former Celtics wing, played 25 minutes and made zero difference. He scored a measly four points, grabbed eight rebounds and spent more time on the floor than anyone else who came off the bench from both teams, besides Pritchard. Still, Yabusele failed to supply an impact.

Nick Nurse
It’s hard for Philadelphia’s head coach to see light at the end of the tunnel.

The Sixers have endured more than enough drama, most of which came prompted by Embiid’s lackluster commitment. Two seasons ago, Embiid was named league MVP, and now despite the franchise’s investment of $212 million to sign George and $202 million to retain Tyrese Maxey, Nurse has been subjected to coaching a dumpsterfire.

Philadelphia now sits six games back of the nearest playoff spot.