Led by James Harden’s Playoff career-high tying 45 points, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 1, 119-115. Tyrese Maxey added 26 points for the 76ers in the victory, while Jayson Tatum tallied 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Celtics. The 76ers lead this best-of-seven series, 1-0, with Game 2 taking place on Wednesday, May 3 (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT).
Tonight marked James Harden’s 10th 40+ point Playoff game of his career, becoming the 11th player in NBA history with 10 or more such games:
Michael Jordan: 38 Games
LeBron James: 28 Games
Jerry West: 20 Games
Elgin Baylor: 14 Games
Kevin Durant: 14 Games
Wilt Chamberlain: 13 Games
Kobe Bryant: 13 Games
Shaquille O’Neal: 12 Games
Hakeem Olajuwon: 11 Games
Allen Iverson: 10 Games
James Harden: 10 Games
James Harden is the 5th player in 76ers franchise history to record 45+ points in a Playoff game, joining:
Allen Iverson (7 Games)
Lee Shaffer
Wilt Chamberlain
Billy Cunningham
Tonight’s victory is the 76ers’ first Game 1 victory in Boston since 1981
