76ers coach reveals biggest Jayson Tatum challenge in playoff series

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76ers coach reveals biggest Jayson Tatum challenge in playoff series

Souichi Terada · MassLive

Sat, Apr 18, 2026 ·

3 min read

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While the Celtics and 76ers played four times in the regular season, there was a crucial cast member missing each time: Jayson Tatum . That won’t be the case as the division rivals meet in the first round of the playoffs. Tatum played great to end the regular season and is once again at the top of the opposing scouting report.

76ers coach Nick Nurse spoke about Tatum’s impact and the biggest challenge ahead of the playoff series. The teams meet 1 p.m. Sunday at TD Garden for Game 1.

“He’s a great player,” Nurse told reporters, via PHLY Sports . “You would’ve had to work really hard to scheme for him. The things that he can do, especially with the perimeter shooting he brings from range. Just I think the footwork, the skill work, the hits and turnarounds. There’s a lot to guard there. We’ve been through it a lot with him.

“We’ve dug pretty deeply on this, on him and feel like we got a good game plan going in. We’ll see. I think you think here’s what we’re going to do and here’s your matchups and you kind of have to see as the game unfolds for us and as the series unfolds what may or may not be the case.”

The Celtics and Sixers split the season series 2-2. But three of those games came in the first month of the regular season, when both teams were still piecing together an identity. Each of those three games came down to a final possession, which the Sixers will lean on to prove they can hang with the C’s.

Tatum returned from his ruptured Achilles tendon in early March. While it took time to acclimate himself to NBA speed, it was clear he was playing close to an All-Star level in spurts to close the season. Of course, the playoffs are a different animal when it comes to intensity and physicality. But this is also Tatum, an experienced playoff veteran. He knows what it takes to win on this stage.

The Sixers also weren’t at full strength for their games against the Celtics, but they aren’t expected to be whole this series. Former MVP Joel Embiid’s status is uncertain after undergoing an appendectomy procedure last week. He’s not expected to be available to start the series and it’s unclear if he’ll play in the first round at all.

But Philadelphia still has a talented cast that will give the Celtics some problems. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey will be running the show. Keeping Maxey and the Sixers from getting easy transition buckets will be a key for the Celtics all series. Paul George has also played well since returning from his suspension last month.

So even though the Celtics are heavy favorites, they’ll be tested this first round. As Nurse pointed out, the Sixers also have plenty of experience playing against this C’s core. At the same time, Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been the winningest duo in the league this decade for a reason.

“I think the biggest unknown is we haven’t seen JT yet,” Dominick Barlow said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, biggest adjustment to that. I feel like throughout the year, we played them well. We’ve had competitive games with them and it’s been a fight.”

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