Observations after Sixers get blown out by Celtics in preseason

Observations after Sixers get blown out by Celtics in preseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ third preseason contest was a blowout affair.

The Celtics cruised to a 144-106 exhibition victory Saturday night over the Sixers at TD Garden. The Sixers fell to 1-2 in preseason play.

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Celtics star Jayson Tatum scored 23 points and Payton Pritchard poured in 25. VJ Edgecombe had 19 points, four assists and four steals for the Sixers.

After using their full starting five Thursday in a loss to the Nets, the Sixers’ absences included LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid. Adem Bona (left foot sprain), Dominick Barlow (back) and Anfernee Simons (hamstring) were among the other players on the sidelines.

The Sixers’ fourth and final preseason game will also be against the Celtics. They’ll host Boston next Friday night.

Here are observations on their loss Saturday:

Walker starts at center

The Sixers started Tyrese Maxey, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Dean Wade and Jabari Walker.

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Edgecombe had a bright first few minutes, scoring a reverse and-one layup and canning a three-pointer to give the Sixers an 8-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Celtics missed their first seven field goals.

The 6-foot-7 Walker played center and faced a pair of 7-footers in Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta.

Walker had some nice early moments, including a put-back layup, although he accumulated three fouls in his first 10 minutes. He posted 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting and five rebounds. Walker swished a corner three-pointer in the second quarter and continued to fire away from long range. He’s now 5 for 13 (38.5 percent) beyond the arc in the preseason.

The 6-9 Wade moved to center after Walker took a seat. Robinson beat Wade to an offensive rebound in the second quarter and then converted an and-one lay-in.

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Not every team has multiple 7-footers in its rotation like the Celtics and Robinson is a tremendous offensive rebounder who habitually wins individual battles against centers of all sizes. Still, the Sixers are simply small at backup center currently with the injuries to Bona and Ariel Hukporti…

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Publish date : 2026-10-10 22:34:00

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