Jayson Tatum Gets Honest After Celtics Lose Game 5 to 76ers

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics could not close out the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. They fell 113-97 at TD Garden, forcing Game 6 in their first-round NBA playoffs series.

Boston held a double-digit second-half lead but surrendered it in stunning fashion. Joel Embiid led all scorers with 33 points and eight assists. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 43 minutes.

The Celtics managed just 11 fourth-quarter points. Boston closed the game with 14 straight missed field goals. Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for just four points in the final frame.

Tatum shouldered the blame in his postgame address.

Coming off a historic performance in Game 4, Tatum finished Game 5 with 24 points and 16 rebounds. He struggled from the field, shooting just 8-of-19. He also missed two crucial free throws late. Those misses proved costly as Boston's offense stalled when it mattered most.

Tatum was not alone in his struggles. Brown finished with 22 points but shot just 9-of-23 from the floor. He managed just two points on 0-of-6 shooting in the fourth quarter.

Tatum spoke to reporters after the game and owned up to the loss. He made honest admissions about the Celtics' lackluster fourth-quarter showing.

"Each teammate has to be out there to pick each other up ... There's a human element, we're not perfect," Tatum said.

"... After each game, win or loss, there are a lot of things we look back. ... Tonight's no different."

Only three Celtics finished in double figures. Beyond Tatum and Brown, Payton Pritchard added 12 points and six assists.

Philadelphia, by contrast, got contributions across the board. Quentin Grimes posted 18 points off the bench. Paul George added 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Rookie VJ Edgecombe chipped in 10.

The Celtics missed a golden opportunity to close out the series on their home floor. Boston must now travel to Wells Fargo Center for Game 6. Tatum will look to shake off this performance and deliver on Thursday.

Related: NBA Makes Jayson Tatum Announcement in Celtics Loss

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 3:33 AM.