BOSTON (AP) 鈥� Two years ago, the Boston Celtics were about to 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.
鈥淚 think more of a sense of gratitude than ever,鈥� Tatum said. 鈥淣ot that I took it for granted. But when something is taken away from you, it just means a little bit more.鈥�
It was 48 weeks ago that the Celtics鈥� title defense was upended after Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Boston鈥檚 Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks.
It鈥檚 been a little over a month since the six-time All-Star鈥檚 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 that will open the series without big man Joel Embiid, who is still recuperating following an appendectomy on April 9.
鈥淲e鈥檝e just got to take it one day at a time, don鈥檛 take anything for granted and just come out ready to go every single night,鈥� 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鈥檚 absence.
Tatum said the nine-year partnership he鈥檚 had alongside Brown is the reason he鈥檚 enjoyed so much success so far during his career.
鈥淣obody鈥檚 successful by themselves,鈥� Tatum said. 鈥淚t takes a group, it takes a village and a lot of this is like, where you were drafted. The teammates you鈥檝e gone to war with. So I鈥檓 thankful, tenfold, for that. … Getting injured just kind of made me cherish each moment.”
Maxey’s resurgence
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.
鈥淚 said there鈥檚 no chance that I鈥檓 going to not be in the playoffs next year,鈥� Maxey said.
Maxey, who became the Sixers鈥� 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.
鈥淭he mentality is definitely different,鈥� Maxey said. 鈥淚 mean, back then I was still attacking and still being aggressive but it鈥檚 a different situation. For me, it鈥檚 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.鈥�
Playoff debut
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 on opening night in Boston.
Allen Iverson held the Sixers鈥� record with 30 points in his debut in 1996.
Edgecombe鈥檚 14 first-quarter points were also the most ever for a player鈥檚 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 鈥� and got in the face of 鈥� 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.
鈥淚 love Philly fans, man,鈥� Edgecombe said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to be so honest, man, it was loud. The intensity, the physicality, it was great. That鈥檚 the type of game I live for. Physical, the crowd鈥檚 involved. I couldn鈥檛 ask for a better, like, debut-kind of playoff experience, kind of. It was great. I enjoyed every moment of it.鈥�
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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
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