Celtics' 3-Point Collapse Fuels First-Round Exit After 56-Win Season

Key facts

• Boston Celtics lost to Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round.
• Celtics held a 3-1 series lead before losing three straight games.
• Boston shot 13-of-47 on 3-pointers in Game 7, including six consecutive misses in crunch time.
• Derrick White started the series 5-of-25 from beyond the arc.
• Jaylen Brown averaged under his season 28.7 points in five of the first six games.
• Jayson Tatum missed Game 7 due to injury.
• Celtics finished the regular season with 56 wins and were favored to win the East.
• The 76ers got healthy and peaked at the right time, according to observers.

A Promising Season Ends in Collapse

The Boston Celtics entered the playoffs as the odds-on favorite to win the Eastern Conference, riding a 56-win season and the return of Jayson Tatum. Within days, that optimism evaporated. The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers, suffering a stunning first-round exit. The loss marks a devastating end for a team that hoped to avenge last season's second-round defeat to the New York Knicks.

Shooting Woes Doom Boston From Deep

The Celtics ranked eighth in the NBA during the regular season, hitting 36.7 percent from 3-point range. Against the 76ers, that accuracy vanished. Boston shot 35 percent from beyond the arc over the first six games, but the losses told a starker story: 13-of-50 in Game 2, 11-of-39 in Game 5, and 12-of-41 in Game 6. Each of those games saw the Celtics connect on less than 30 percent of their 3-point attempts. Game 7 was no different, as Boston went 13-of-47 from deep, including six consecutive misses in crunch time. Any team that shoots so poorly from 3-point range will struggle to win consistently, but other playoff teams have found ways to win on off nights. The Celtics could not.

Derrick White and Jaylen Brown Underperform

Derrick White, a hero during Boston's 2024 title run, saw his efficiency dip in the regular season and could not recapture that magic in the playoffs. He started the series 5-of-25 from deep. While he began Game 7 hot, he went cold again late in the game. Jaylen Brown, who led the Celtics in Tatum's absence for much of the season, was held under his season average of 28.7 points per game in five of the first six games. He shot 40 percent from the field in Game 5 and Game 6 losses and struggled from the free-throw line, going 2-of-6 in Game 6. Brown had only two assists and one rebound in Game 6 when he was held to 18 points, and he found a rhythm too late in Game 7.

The 76ers' Health and Timing

The Celtics drew a 76ers team that got healthy and seemingly peaked at the right time. Philadelphia capitalized on Boston's shooting struggles and defensive lapses. The series turned after the Celtics took a 3-1 lead, with the 76ers winning three straight to advance. The result is a bitter pill for a Boston team that had Tatum back in the fold after his absence during the regular season.

Fallout and Blunt Takes

The fallout from the early exit has been loud, extending beyond the locker room. Jaylen Brown claimed that NBA referees have an 'agenda' against him, a comment that drew sharp criticism from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. Smith ripped Brown's remarks with a blunt take after the Celtics' collapse. The conversation has shifted from breakdowns on the floor to blunt takes off it, adding to the turmoil surrounding the team.

What Comes Next for Boston

The Celtics must now confront the questions raised by their collapse. With a 56-win season and a first-round exit, the gap between regular-season success and playoff performance is stark. The team's reliance on 3-point shooting, the inconsistency of key players, and the chemistry between Tatum and Brown will all be scrutinized. The offseason looms with decisions about roster construction and coaching adjustments. For a franchise with an unmatched record of championships, this early exit is a jarring setback.

The bottom line

• Boston's 3-point shooting collapsed in the playoffs, with four games under 30 percent from deep.
• Derrick White's shooting slump (5-of-25 start from 3) was a major factor in the series loss.
• Jaylen Brown failed to elevate his game when his shot was off, with low assist and rebound numbers in key games.
• The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead, marking a stunning first-round exit after a 56-win season.
• Jayson Tatum's absence in Game 7 compounded Boston's offensive struggles.
• The loss raises questions about the team's ability to perform under pressure and the fit of its core players.