February 25, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) works the post against Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strother (3) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images Two teams with notable 3-point shooting performances are scheduled to meet on Sunday when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Boston Celtics.
Boston made 22 of 34 3-point attempts (64.7%) during Friday night’s 148-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics shot 66.7 percent from the field overall (52 of 78) after shooting 34.9 percent and scoring a season-low 84 points in Wednesday’s loss at Denver.
“We had some success,” Jaylen Brown said after the win.
Nikola Vucevic has performed at his best since being traded from Chicago to Boston. He scored 28 points with 11 rebounds, hitting each of his three 3-point attempts in 25 minutes off the bench.
“I thought we had good spacing,” Boston coach Joe Mazula said. “I thought (Vucevic’s) screening was good. I thought we found the upside quickly, and I thought we kept hammering it. So it’s a credit to him and his screening and his execution. And credit to the guys for finding the upside to make plays for themselves or others.
“I thought we read the game well. I thought we made the right reads for most of the whole game. I thought Vooch looked really comfortable reading the offense and screening the offense. He unlocked a lot for us.”
Boston has a 6-2 record since acquiring Vucevic.
“Every day we’re getting better, it’s huge for our team to continue to find him in his spots and make him feel more comfortable,” Brown said. “I think it was a big step today. I like to see him be aggressive. I think that’s a good sign for us, especially when teams are trying to double or take away certain parts of the game.”
Tyrese Maxey passed Allen Iverson and set a franchise record for most 3-pointers in Philadelphia’s most recent game, a 124-117 win over Miami on Thursday.
Maxey hit five 3-pointers in the win and has made 887 3-point field goals in 375 career NBA games. Iverson played in 722 games for the 76ers and made 885 3-pointers.
“I’m really happy.” Maxey said. “I’m blessed. I’m thankful to God for the opportunity, and I’m thankful to God that the Sixers organization selected me, believed in me, and believed in me. I’m thankful to both my coaches, Doc (Rivers) and (Nick) Nurse. They gave me a lot of confidence.
“Lastly, my teammates. I just said hello to Tobias (Harris). My rookie year, he told me I was a great shooter. Even though I wasn’t shooting as well as I wanted to, he said I was a great shooter. And Joel (Embii). He’s been interested in me since I was probably in my second or third year about hitting 10 3-pointers a game, and I appreciate that.”
Philadelphia shot 17 of 43 (39.5%) from beyond the 3-point arc against Miami. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes each hit three 3-pointers. With this win, Philadelphia’s winning streak extended to three games.
Sunday’s game will be the fourth meeting between the Celtics and 76ers this season. The Celtics and 76ers split two games in Philadelphia after Philadelphia earned a 117-116 road win in each team’s season opener. Boston won 109-108 on October 31, and Philadelphia won 102-100 on November 11.
Boston is ranked 2nd in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is in 6th place.
–Field level media
