Jayson Tatum performed well in his first playoff game since his Achilles tendon injury in May 2025, scoring 25 points and adding 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in a 123-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round series. This victory was the largest playoff-opening victory in franchise history for the Celtics and their fifth 30-point playoff triumph over the 76ers, the most by any team against a single opponent in NBA history. Tatum, a six-time All-Star, now has 38 20-point, 10-rebound playoff games in his career, tied for third in Celtics history with Kevin McHale. The Celtics' win was seen as an emphatic statement by the 2024 champions.