Celtics vs. 76ers score, highlights: Jayson Tatum's 51 points set Game 7 record, push Boston to East Finals

Gilbert McGregor

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Celtics vs. 76ers score, highlights: Jayson Tatum's 51 points set Game 7 record, push Boston to East Finals image

It all came down to Game 7.

After trading blows for six games, the Celtics used a major run to get past the 76ers and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. For Boston, it was all about Jayson Tatum, who turned in a historic performance with 51 points, breaking a Game 7 record that was previously held by Stephen Curry.

Philadelphia suffers another Game 7 letdown as MVP Joel Embiid scored just 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting while James Harden was limited to nine points on 3-of-11 shooting in 41 minutes.

The Sporting News tracked live score updates from the decisive Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers.

Celtics vs. 76ers score

Team 1 2 3 4 F
Celtics 23 32 33 24 112
76ers 29 23 10 26 88

Celtics vs. 76ers score, highlights

(All times Eastern.)

Final: Celtics 112, 76ers 88

5:52 p.m. — It's a 50-piece for Jayson Tatum.

Tatum drains his sixth triple of the night to bring his total up to 51 points in the game, breaking the Game 7 record previously held by Stephen Curry.

5:50 p.m. — Jayson Tatum's eyeing history.

Tatum is up to 48 points — two shy of Stephen Curry's Game 7 record set just weeks ago. He's also six points shy of a Celtics playoff record currently held by John Havlicek.

5:45 p.m. — We've got a timeout on the floor for an official review of a goaltending call on Boston.

As it stands, the Celtics' lead is 23. It will go back to 25 if the call is overturned.

Celtics 95, 76ers 72. Nine minutes remain in the game.

5:39 p.m. — For the Sixers, it's gone from bad to real bad.

Two minutes into the fourth, Doc Rivers has been forced to call a timeout as Boston's lead is up to 28. The Sixers look defeated while the Celtics are primed to advance.

End of Third Quarter: Celtics 88, 76ers 62

5:32 p.m. — Philadelphia was held to just 10 points in the third, and Boston is prime for yet another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

It has been an absolutely legendary showing from Jayson Tatum, who has 42 points (on 14-of-23 shooting) and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown is the team's next leading scorer with 19 points.

Things have unraveled for the 76ers, whose star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden, who have combined to shoot 7 of 26 from the field, leading to 22 points.

5:22 p.m. — It's gotten out of hand in Boston.

The Celtics' lead is now up to 21 points as they're riding the momentum of a 24-3 run since early in the third. Timeout on the floor. Philadelphia might not have enough time for a comeback here.

Celtics 79, 76ers 58.

5:15 p.m. — It has turned into the Jayson Tatum show.

Tatum is up to 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting in the game, including 4-of-6 shooting from deep. His play has allowed Boston's lead to balloon up to 15 points midway through the third quarter.

Things are unraveling for Philadelphia.

Celtics 73, 76ers 58 with 6:08 remaining in the third.

5:06 p.m. — Jayson Tatum continues his takeover.

Tatum is up to 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting and the Celtics are off to a hot start to the second half. A quick 7-2 run to open the third has given Boston a seven-point lead.

Celtics 62, 76ers 55 with 9:09 remaining in the third.

Halftime: Celtics 55, 76ers 52

4:46 p.m. — The Celtics outscore the 76ers by nine points in the second frame to take a three-point lead into the half.

It's been Jayson Tatum's game so far. He leads all scorers with 25 points (on 9-of-16 shooting) to go along with seven rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes of action.

Jaylen Brown is up to 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting for Boston, which is now shooting 44.7 percent from the field as a team after a rocky start.

Joel Embiid's 13 points lead the way for the 76ers, but he's shooting just 4 of 12 from the field. James Harden has six points and six assists but is 2 of 8 from the field.

Tyrese Maxey has come up big for the Sixers with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting.

4:43 p.m. — Joel Embiid is struggling a bit on the offensive end.

The MVP has 13 points in the game but is just 4 of 12 from the field. He's 5 of 6 from the charity stripe, which has kept him going offensively. Embiid and co-star James Harden have combined to shoot 6 of 19 from the field.

Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum has 22 points for the Celtics on 8-of-14 shooting.

76ers 52, Celtics 52 with under a minute to play in the half.

4:32 p.m. — Another bizarre situation was subject to review.

As the Celtics attempted to get out in transition, technical fouls were assessed to Jaylen Brown and Georges Niang. 

Brown, who fell into the 76ers bench, had his leg grabbed by Niang as he attempted to get back on offense. Brown then stopped to speak toward Philadelphia's bench unit.

Niang was given a technical for the grab and Brown was given a technical for what was deemed a taunt.

4:27 p.m. — The energy has shifted.

After trailing by nine points, the Celtics responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to two. The Flagrant 1 penalty assessed to James Harden could be a turning point as Jaylen Brown drained both free throws, Robert Williams III finished an alley-oop on the ensuing possession and, after forcing a turnover, Brown finished in transition.

76ers 35, Celtics 33. 7:57 still remains in the second quarter.

4:24 p.m. — A play between James Harden and Jaylen Brown is under review for a hostile act.

Harden, who lost the ball on a drive to the basket, flailed his arms and unintentionally struck Brown, bloodying his nose in the process.

The act was ruled a Flagrant 1, giving the Celtics free throws along with possession of the ball. 

4:20 p.m. — In somewhat of a defensive struggle, Philadelphia has come to play on the defensive end.

The Sixers are connected and have been extremely disruptive defensively, with six blocked shots early on, limiting Boston to sub-35 percent shooting up to this point in the game.

76ers 35, Celtics 27 with 8:26 to go in the second frame.

4:15 p.m. — Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is apparently not too pleased with a few recent calls and signals for a timeout early on in the second frame.

Philadelphia's lead is at five points. James Harden will step to the free throw line after the break.

76ers 31, Celtics 26 with 10:09 remaining in the quarter.

End of First Quarter: 76ers 29, Celtics 23

4:07 p.m. — In a game that features three members of the All-NBA Team in Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, it has been 76ers veteran P.J. Tucker that has made the loudest splash, helping Philadelphia build a six-point lead after one.

Through one quarter, Tucker has a game-high-tying 11 points thanks to shooting 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Tatum also has 11 points so far, breaking away from a confounding trend of struggles in the first quarter. Outside of Tatum, Boston is shooting 5 of 17 (29.4 percent) from the field. 

3:55 p.m. — The teams continue to go back and forth, but the 76ers have called a timeout after Tobias Harris suffered an apparent left knee injury.

Harris did not go to the locker room and looks to have avoided a serious injury. He returned to action after sitting during one free throw.

76ers 15, Celtics 13 with 5:03 remaining in the quarter.

3:47 p.m. — And we're off…

The 76ers and Celtics are trading blows early, and the energy inside TD Garden is incredible. After a fast start from Boston, Philadelphia used an 8-0 run to take a two-point lead into the first break in the action.

76ers 10, Celtics 8 with 6:59 remaining in the first.

Jaylen Brown leads all scorers with four points, but it's Boston's above-the-rim finishes that have the crowd going wild.

Pregame

3:40 p.m. — It's about time to get underway at TD Garden.

Starting for the visiting 76ers: James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker and Joel Embiid.

For the Celtics, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams III will start.

3 p.m. — Win or go home. Both teams have arrived for Game 7 and the anticipation grows.

What channel is Celtics vs. 76ers on?

  • Date: Sunday, May 14
  • TV channel: ABC 
  • Live streaming: Sling TV

Game 7 of Celtics vs. 76ers will air on ABC. Viewers in the United States can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN and ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

What time is Celtics vs. 76ers today?

  • Date: Sunday, May 14
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. PT

Celtics vs. 76ers will tip off around 3:30 p.m. ET. on Sunday, May 14. The game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.

Celtics vs. 76ers odds

The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites over the 76ers in Game 7.

  Spread Moneyline
Celtics -6.5 -275
76ers +6.5 +220

For the full market, check out BetMGM.

Celtics vs. 76ers schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between Boston and Philadelphia:

Date Game Time (ET)/Result TV channel
May 1 Game 1 76ers 119, Celtics 115 TNT
May 3 Game 2 Celtics 121, 76ers 87 TNT
May 5 Game 3 Celtics 114, 76ers 102 ESPN
May 7 Game 4 76ers 116, Celtics 115 (OT) ESPN
May 9 Game 5 76ers 115, Celtics 103 TNT
May 11 Game 6 Celtics 95, 76ers 86 ESPN
May 14 Game 7 3:30 p.m. ET at Celtics ABC

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.