The Boston Celtics are playing the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, a matchup that, if they win, would see them move on to the next round.
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown once again, have played well against the 76ers throughout the series. While Joel Embiid returned for Philadelphia in Game 4 after appendectomy surgery, Boston hopes to clinch the first round for the ninth time in the past decade.
Before Game 5, the Celtics announced their starting lineup and final injury report for the Tuesday night matchup against the 76ers.
Celtics Announce Starting Lineup For Game 5 Vs 76ers
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 look on in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on April 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Just 30 minutes before tipoff, Boston confirmed their starting five with a social media post.
Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta were all named starters by head coach Joe Mazzulla and his staff.
This is the typical starting lineup the Celtics have used in the playoffs, and in the final stretch of the regular season, once Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.
But along with this group will start the game, Boston will once again rely on strong performances from Nikola Vucevic, Baylor Scheierman, Payton Pritchard, and Jordan Walsh.
Specifically, as it relates to Queta and Vucevic, they will have the role of stopping Embiid if he can play in Game 5. He suited up in the prior matchup, but the Celtics’ big man duo did a good job at putting a stop to him as the 2023 MVP continues to work back from his surgery recovery.
Embiid is the only player listed on the 76ers’ injury report, while Boston has a clean injury report, as all of their players are available for Game 5.
Celtics Could Clinch Series With Game 5 Win
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 2: President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics addresses the media during Boston Celtics Media Day at The Auerbach Center on October 2, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Celtics are on the verge of advancing to the second round if they can grab a win on Tuesday and beat Philadelphia 4-1 in their current series.
Tatum and Brown have continued their strong play, as they are the two Boston players averaging more than 20 points in the series. Still, the Celtics as a whole are shooting 37.6% from three-point range as a team, making a playoff high 18.3 shots per game from deep. That, compared to the 76ers’ 34.6% on just 11 average makes from three in the series, has been a major factor as to why Boston has a 3-1 lead.
The Celtics are the favorites to beat Philadelphia in Game 5 and advance to the second round.
“The Celtics have erased any concerns that arose from dropping Game 2 at home with two wins in Philadelphia. Sunday’s Game 4 win was incredibly dominant,” Dan Santaromita of The Athletic wrote. “The 128-96 win gives Boston a chance to close out the series at home. The Celtics are favored by 11.5 points for Tuesday’s Game 5. Boston fans can start thinking about the second round.”
Additionally, Game 5 of the Celtics vs 76ers series comes after Brad Stevens was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for the second time in three years.
“Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has been named the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year,” the league wrote in a statement. “Stevens earns the honor for the second time, having previously received it in 2023-24. He is the 12th executive to win the award multiple times since it was first presented in 1972-73.”
After what was expected to be a gap year, the Celtics are now on the verge of moving past the first round, and all that will take is a win in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Celtics Announce Starting Lineup Decison For Series-Clinching Game 5 Vs 76ers appeared first on HEAVY.