BOSTON (AP) — Two years ago, the Boston Celtics were about to begin a playoff run that would end with them raising a record 18th NBA championship.
Two years later, Jayson Tatum, one of the centerpieces of that team, enters the postseason with a much different perspective.
“I think more of a sense of gratitude than ever,” Tatum said. “Not that I took it for granted. But when something is taken away from you, it just means a little bit more.”
It was 48
weeks ago that the Celtics’ title defense was upended after Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks.
It’s been a little over a month since the six-time All-Star’s return to the court after just shy of 10 months of rehabilitation. That, coupled with an overachieving Celtics team that earned a No. 2 seed playing in all but 16 games without the star, have again put Boston into championship contention.
That quest begins Sunday against a Philadelphia 76ers team that will open the series without big man Joel Embiid, who is still recuperating following an appendectomy on April 9.
“We’ve just got to take it one day at a time, don’t take anything for granted and just come out ready to go every single night,” said Celtics star Jaylen Brown, whose career efforts in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1) have carried the team in Tatum’s absence.
Tatum said the nine-year partnership he’s had alongside Brown is the reason he’s enjoyed so much success so far during his career.
“Nobody’s successful by themselves,” Tatum said. “It takes a group, it takes a village and a lot of this is like, where you were drafted. The teammates you’ve gone to war with. So I’m thankful, tenfold, for that. ... Getting injured just kind of made me cherish each moment."
The 76ers are also in a mode of reflection heading into the postseason.
Tyrese Maxey called Kyle Lowry last May and made a promise to the veteran guard who is expected to retire at the end of the season.
Yes, the Sixers were coming off a 24-win season, but Maxey vowed the Sixers would return to the playoffs.
After beating Orlando in the play-in game, the Sixers are indeed back, in large part because of Maxey. Maxey was voted an All-Star starter for the first time this season and carried the Sixers in large stretches with Embiid sidelined by various injuries and Paul George out with injuries and a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test.
Maxey had to reflect after that Orlando win on that phone call.
“I said there’s no chance that I’m going to not be in the playoffs next year,” Maxey said.
Maxey, who became the Sixers’ career 3-point leader this season,- was the third option behind Embiid and James Harden the last time the Sixers and Celtics met in the playoffs in 2023.
The 76ers held a 3-2 semifinals series lead against Boston before dropping Game 6 at home and were crushed in Game 7 on the road.
“The mentality is definitely different,” Maxey said. “I mean, back then I was still attacking and still being aggressive but it’s a different situation. For me, it’s going to be a lot of film the next couple of days. A lot of film, breaking it down, get back in the gym probably Friday, a lot of getting to my spots and where I like to make shots and where I can get to. And then just read the game.”
V.J. Edgecombe is ready for his first NBA playoff game at the site of his impressive league debut.
The Sixers rookie had a wildly successful first season after the Sixers made him the No. 3 overall pick in the draft out of Baylor.
Edgecombe scored 34 points in his first pro game on opening night in Boston.
Allen Iverson held the Sixers’ record with 30 points in his debut in 1996.
Edgecombe’s 14 first-quarter points were also the most ever for a player’s first NBA quarter. That record had been held by LeBron James, who scored 12 in 2003.
Edgecombe finished the season with an average of 16.0 points in 75 games.
Edgecombe dunked on — and got in the face of — Jalen Suggs for a 73-62 lead in the play-in game. Edgecombe was whistled for taunting and officials had to separate the teams.
Sixers fans went wild, just as they have all season for Edgecombe.
“I love Philly fans, man,” Edgecombe said. “I’m going to be so honest, man, it was loud. The intensity, the physicality, it was great. That’s the type of game I live for. Physical, the crowd’s involved. I couldn’t ask for a better, like, debut-kind of playoff experience, kind of. It was great. I enjoyed every moment of it.”
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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
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