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Celtics show flashes, but 76ers claim season opener behind historic rookie performance: 8 takeaways
Boston Celtics
Rookie wing VJ Edgecombe looked more than worth the Sixers’ robust tanking efforts last season in his regular-season debut.
The Celtics showed flashes of what they can be at their best this season, but the 76ers got a historic rookie performance from VJ Edgecombe and a huge game from Tyrese Maxey to take the season opener.
Here are the takeaways.
VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey both looked incredible
Rookie wing VJ Edgecombe looked more than worth the Sixers’ robust tanking efforts last season in his regular-season debut. Edgecombe broke the NBA record for most points in the first quarter by a rookie with 14, surpassing LeBron James’ record of 12, and he broke the Sixers’ record for points in a rookie debut of 30 set by Allen Iverson, pouring in 34 on 13-for-26 shooting, including several earth-shaking dunks.
“For a rookie to come in, first game and put up (those numbers), it was impressive,” Derrick White said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen somebody have that in his debut, but he had a really good game.”
Point guard Tyrese Maxey, meanwhile, looked every bit up to the task of being the Sixers’ primary superstar this season, pushing the Sixers out to a halftime lead and pulling them back from the brink when Boston threatened to pull away in the fourth. Maxey finished with a massive 40-point outing, running rampant through a Celtics’ defense that struggled to get back and defend him whenever they missed shots.
The Sixers are far from a perfect roster, but tanking last season appears to have worked wonders for them, and as The Process Pt. 1 appears to be coming to a close (more on that in a minute), they appear very well set up to begin The Process Pt. 2.
The final play(s) were supposed to be for Jaylen Brown
After letting a double-digit lead slip away, the Celtics looked like they were done, but Edgecombe missed two late free throws that gifted them a final chance.
With eight seconds left, Derrick White struggled to inbound the ball before finally dishing to Payton Pritchard. Pritchard drove into the paint and had his shot blocked out of bounds with just over a second remaining.
On their last, last chance, the Celtics once again passed to Pritchard, who created a little space but missed the potential game-winner.
According to Pritchard, the play was designed for Jaylen Brown.
“They kind of shadowed it,” Pritchard said. “I got it, attacked, probably just made the wrong read. Anfernee (Simons and Sam (Hauser) were open on the back side, so that’s just a pass I’ve got to make.”
For his part, Mazzulla said the goal was to get the ball to the Celtics’ ball-handlers.
“We got the ball into the paint, got a decent look,” Mazzulla said. “It’s all you can do is get it to those guys, and they gave us a chance to win.”
The Celtics might regret letting that one slip
At the risk of sounding overly reductive, the Celtics really need to get wins this season when the opportunities presents themselves, and Wednesday’s game was a prime example.
On a night when the player best suited to hurt them looked like a shell of himself, and when they built a double-digit second-half lead against a shaky roster propped up by two superhuman performances, the Celtics couldn’t claim their first win of the season.
That puts them in a precarious position over their first seven games. Their next contest is on the road against the Knicks, who are widely considered a genuine championship contender this season. That’s the start of a three-games-in-four-night stretch, during which their most beatable opponent (the Pelicans) is the opponent they face last. They then take on the Cavaliers (another championship contender), this 76ers team again, and the Rockets (yet another championship contender, who looked like a heavyweight in their showdown against the Thunder on Tuesday).
When the dust settles, the Celtics could be in a tough position in the standings, and while it’s still clearly very early in the season, this is not last year’s roster – digging out of an early hole will be much more difficult.
The Jaylen Brown/Derrick White tandem debuted well
Brown and White scored 25 points apiece in their debut as the new Celtics stars. Brown dished out four assists early and shot 9-for-18 from the floor, and he played the kind of patient floor game the Celtics need from him in the absence of Jayson Tatum.
Prior to the game, Brown was questionable with a hamstring injury suffered during preseason.
“It was fine. I thought it held up well,” Brown said. “Definitely got to do some recovery. Within the first two weeks coming back from a strain, you’ve got to make sure that you get your recovery in because that’s when the risk is at its highest.
So I’ve just got to make sure I’m focusing on my body, getting my rest, doing my recovery, and getting ready for the next game.”
White, meanwhile, went ice-cold with the rest of his teammates from three in the second quarter – at one point, the Celtics missed nine straight – but he came alive in the third, and he worked his way to the line seven times.
Anfernee Simons looked like a nice addition
The Celtics reportedly spent the summer checking on what they could get for Simons on the trade market, and that option is still likely on the table – this is, after all, a team very much in flux – but the early returns are promising.
Simons was as advertised offensively. He hit multiple 3-pointers that barely disturbed the net on their way through, he attacked the basket in late-shot-clock situations and created offense out of nothing, and at one point in the fourth quarter, he exploded to the rim and elevated so quickly off the ground that Tyrese Maxey could only jump out of his way futilely as Simons thundered home a two-handed slam.
Defensively, Simons was clearly trying to make a good impression. He was consistently down in a stance guarding ball-handlers, he ripped Maxey in transition at one point as the Sixers’ speedy guard flew to the rim, and – perhaps most importantly – he battled his way over and around screens without getting stuck, which has been one of his biggest problems as a defender. He still is unlikely to be a positive on the defensive end, but he was undeniably a positive overall.
Simons finished with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting. On a team that lost its primary bucket-getter last season, he could make up some of the difference.
The duality of Neemias Queta
The Celtics got the full range of the Neemias Queta experience in the fourth quarter – the very good, and the very bad.
Queta had a good game overall – 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting and eight rebounds, including two big offensive ones. In the fourth quarter, he scored on four out of five consecutive possessions including three in a row. The Celtics needed a big performance from a big man, and they got one.
“He’s got it in him to be good for us, and he did some really good things,” Joe Mazzulla said. “The standard’s high for him.”
On the other hand, Queta committed a bad offensive foul setting a moving screen at a critical moment with 2:45 remaining and the Celtics nursing a four-point lead, and he fouled out a minute later sending Maxey to the free-throw line. Down the stretch, the Celtics needed Queta, who probably wouldn’t have short-armed the crucial put-back attempt that Xavier Tillman missed.
The Celtics have a lot of flawed-but-useful big men who can each do a little bit of something, but not everything. Queta frequently shows flashes of brilliance followed by moments that will leave Celtics fans pulling at their hair.
The Joel Embiid Era looks like it might be in peril
The first indicator that the 76ers’ big man might not be entirely himself was that he didn’t jump the opening tip, leaving the job to 76ers starting forward Dominick Barlow, who also had the odd distinction of being an Opening Night starter on a two-way contract.
The second indicator that Embiid wasn’t himself was the first Celtics’ possession, on which Neemias Queta set a screen for Derrick White, and Embiid stayed so far back in the lane, it was a little confusing who he was actually supposed to guard. Eventually, White spotted the amount of space he would have any time Queta set a screen, and the Celtics started going directly at Embiid whenever possible.
On the other end, Embiid hoisted a few half-hearted jumpers and attempted one half-hearted post move against Xavier Tillman before bailing halfway through, and Tillman poked the ball away. When Embiid sat down halfway through the quarter, the Sixers looked more like a coherent basketball team.
Things went from bad to worse the rest of the way. At one point, Embiid tried to post up Sam Hauser and failed to do any damage. His presence in the game coincided with the best offensive moments by far for the Celtics, and he sat late with just four points on 1-for-9 shooting.
Embiid’s size and injury history always meant that his aging process was unlikely to be graceful, but it was still jarring to see him moving so poorly this early in the season. The Sixers have plenty of optimism on their roster, but the Joel Embiid era of The Process did not look like it was in a particularly good place on Opening Night.
What’s Next
The Celtics now hit the road on a somewhat nonsensical road trip: They will travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks on Friday before flying to Detroit for a matchup against the rising Pistons on Sunday. When that game wraps up, they’ll travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Monday.
Local News
Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Millions of visitors are expected to pass through the city, many of them navigating Boston for the first time. Here are answers to some of the most common questions visitors may have before they arrive.
Where is rideshare pick up at Logan Airport?
Passengers using a rideshare app can only be picked up in designated areas for ride app vehicles. Look for signs to your terminal’s designated Ride App pickup area before requesting your ride.
Taxis are available at designated stands on the Arrivals level at Terminals A, B, C and E. Taxi dispatchers are located in all terminals to help you. Taxis are priced per mile, according to the Boston Police Department: for the first ⅛ of a mile, you pay $3.80, then, for each ⅛ mile after, you pay $0.40. Passengers also pay a $2.75 toll for all trips from Boston proper to Logan Airport and communities on the North Shore. However, passengers don’t have to pay a toll from Boston proper to East Boston (not including the airport).
Do I need a CharlieCard to ride the T?
No, you don’t need a CharlieCard to ride the train (the T). Most MBTA subway and bus riders can pay directly with a credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smart watch. If you’re riding the Commuter Rail, you’ll need to download the MBTA mTicket app before your trip to purchase and scan Commuter Rail tickets directly from your phone.
However, if you’d like to purchase a CharlieCard, you most certainly can. In fact, the MBTA launched a special edition collectable CharlieCards featuring iconic Boston landmarks to celebrate the summer’s slew of major events. As of Tuesday, cards are available at fare kiosks at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, and Forest Hills stations. Cards will be rolled out at over a dozen more stations throughout the subway system this week.
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Wickedpedia: Why is it called a CharlieCard?
How do I get to Boston Stadium?
Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) is located in the town of Foxborough, which is about 22 miles (35 km) south of Boston.
The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 suggests fans leave plenty of time to travel to the stadium. If you’re driving from Boston, allocate between 60 to 90 minutes to get to the stadium, and 45 to 50 minutes if you’re driving from Providence.
If you’re taking the Commuter Rail to the stadium, you must buy a Boston Stadium train ticket in advance ($80 roundtrip) from the MBTA mTicket app. The train will take you directly to and from each World Cup match. Arrive at South Station at the time shown for your boarding group (you can see all Boston Stadium train ticket schedules here). The train ride is about an hour long. All Boston Stadium train tickets include a return trip after the match, with trains starting to leave Foxboro Station 30 minutes after the final whistle and roughly every 15 minutes until all trains have departed.
If you’re taking the Boston Stadium express bus ($95 roundtrip), you must buy tickets in advance. Bus service starts three to four-and-a-half hours before kickoff. Arrive at your bus pickup (there are over 90 locations across Greater Boston plus from the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence) no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. After the match buses will start leaving 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Boston Stadium’s gates open three hours before kickoff. Parking (which must be booked in advance) will be open to fans fours hours before kickoff. FIFA encourages fans to arrive early for security screening, ticket scanning, and entry before kickoff. For more information on getting to and from the stadium, see the Boston Host Committee’s fan travel guide.
Where can I watch the World Cup, Sail Boston, and Fourth of July fireworks in Boston?
There are plenty of World Cup watch parties hosted at local bars and restaurants across Boston’s neighborhoods. Standout spots include Boston’s only Scottish bar, The Haven, which is the de facto home base for Scottish fans; and The Lansdowne Pub in Fenway, which will offer World Cup-themed cocktails and food tied to specific games. There will also be a FIFA Fan Festival at Boston’s City Hall Plaza from June 12 through 27 featuring live match broadcasts and a cultural showcase highlighting local artists, musicians, and performers.
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Where to watch the World Cup in Boston
From July 11 through 16, a fleet of tall ships will sail into Boston as part of Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Most Sail Boston activities are expected to be concentrated along Boston’s waterfront. If you’re coming from outside of Boston, take the Commuter Rail into South Station. From there, take the Silver Line to the Seaport District and Boston Waterfront, where you can visit the Tall Ships. If you’re coming from North Station, it’s about a 0.6-mile walk to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in the North End, where you can enjoy a great view of the ships. Other spots to see the Tall Ships include Castle Island, East Boston and Charlestown. You can find a schedule of free events here, and can use Sail Boston’s interactive harbor map to see the Parade of Sail route through Boston Harbor, recommended viewing locations along the waterfront, and public access to piers and Tall Ship berthing areas.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will take place on Saturday, July 4 at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event features the Boston Pops led by Keith Lockhart, guest performances by Lainey Wilson and Chance The Rapper, and a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m. There are several places to watch the fireworks, including the Charles River Esplanade near the Hatch Memorial Shell; Castle Island Beach in South Boston; and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. The Hatch Shell is accessible via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. The Esplanade is accessible via a footbridge at the intersection of Silber Way and Back Street near Boston University’s campus; a footbridge at the intersection of Fairfield and Back Streets in Back Bay; a pedestrian ramp where the Harvard Bridge goes over Storrow Drive; the Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge in Beacon Hill; and from the Charles River/MGH T stop on the Red Line.
What should I do if the T is crowded after a major event?
Walk. Boston was ranked as the second-most walkable city in the world, according to a 2025 Time Out survey. Downtown Boston is approximately 1.5 square miles, making it easy to access many points of interest in a short amount of time.
Where can I find public restrooms in Boston?
There are many public restrooms hidden in plain sight in Boston. From libraries and to firehouses, here’s a running list of public restrooms.
Can I get anywhere interesting by water?
Yes. In addition to subway and bus service, the MBTA also operates ferry service from Boston to several coastal neighborhoods, islands, and even Logan airport.
In Boston, the main ferry terminals are located along Atlantic Ave, just outside of the Aquarium Station on the Blue Line. Each MBTA ferry terminal is marked with a T sign. Fares depend on the route you take, but range from $2.40 to $9.75 each way. Ferries operate year-round and include both indoor and outdoor seating. They also offer a fantastic view of Boston and the Boston Harbor Islands. You can find schedules and maps here as well as a beginner’s guide here.
What’s parking like in Boston?
If you see a “Resident Parking Only” sign in a neighborhood, it means you need a resident parking permit sticker for that space. However, metered parking and garage parking is available throughout the city.
Most meters operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday (on Sundays and City holidays you can park for free). You can generally only park in a metered spot for two hours before needing to move your car. You can pay your meter with quarters, credit cards, and by using the ParkBoston app (if a ParkBoston decal is on the meter where you parked). Metered parking ranges between $2.50 and $3.75 per hour, depending on the neighborhood.
Downtown Boston has more than 6,300 parking spaces in thirteen public parking garages, according to the Downtown Boston Alliance, with most garages offering discounted parking rates on nights and weekends. Garage parking typically ranges from $10 to $20 for the first hour, with daily maximums up to $75.
⚽ Get the latest World Cup news
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FIFA World Cup host cities lay out security plans ahead of matches
Host cities ramp up security and anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of FIFA World Cup matches across the U.S.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Massachusetts, and when it comes to having a place for people to hang out together, there will be a free fan zone where everyone can celebrate the big event.
Seven World Cup matches will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA this summer, and the first one is right around the corner, to be played on June 13, with Scotland taking on Haiti.
Fan Zones are a public space to watch the game for people who don’t have tickets to the actual game. Held in public places, they broadcast the mach on giant screens to offer an immersive experience to watch the game, according to FIFA>
“At the heart of FIFA Fan Festival Boston, (a) Cultural Showcase will ignite the stage with a vibrant celebration of the spirit, creativity, and cultural heartbeat of Boston and communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” FIFA said.
Where will the fan zone be located when the World Cup games start in just 11 days?
Where is the World Cup fan zone going to be in Massachusetts?
The official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup in Boston will be located at Boston City Hall Plaza at 1 City Hall Sq. Boston, MA.
“The festival will run daily from June 12 through June 27, offering live match broadcasts, cultural showcases, food vendors, and entertainment,” according to FIFA.
The fan zone will open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will stay open until after dark, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. according to reports.
Activities at the fan zone
Here are some of the offerings at the fan zone in Boston, according to the FIFA website:
- Live broadcasts: Giant outdoor screens that broadcast tournament matches in high-definition.
- Entertainment & music: Live concerts, DJ sets, and performances celebrating global culture.
- Interactive activations: Skills challenges, mini-pitches, inflatable games, and sponsor booths.
- Food & merch: International food stalls, local beverage offerings, and official tournament merchandise.
How to go to the fan zone
While the game is free, you do need to register in advance.
“You can select which days and matches you plan to attend through the FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 website or the Meet Boston events page. Up to six people can register on a single application,” the World Cup Boston website says.
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