Although the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics had lost a lot of steam before the game, it certainly exceeded expectations on Friday night.

Both teams were shorthanded when the game began. Boston was without their star big man, Kristaps Porzingis. The Sixers were without key starters and reserves.

Due to illness, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were ruled out. Nic Batum, who injured his finger in Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, was also demoted and did not play.

With key stars missing from action on Friday, both teams needed individuals to stand up. Through three quarters of play, the Sixers and Celtics engaged in a gritty back-and-forth struggle. The Celtics lost another star before the game entered the fourth quarter.

On Friday night, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was assessed multiple technical fouls. Tatum received his first technical foul just three minutes into the first quarter. He received his second in the waning seconds of the third quarter after elbowing Robert Covington in the face.

When Tatum was called for an offensive foul, he disagreed with the referee, who then handed him the technical penalty, which resulted in his ejection. When the play was reviewed again, Tatum was called for a flagrant foul before heading to the locker room for the night.

Tatum finished his 27-minute stint with 21 points. He was shooting well from the field, connecting on six of his nine attempts. He also shot 7-9 from the charity stripe.

The Sixers were able to tie the game at 95 thanks to Tatum’s foul in the waning seconds of the third quarter. The Sixers took the lead for the 13th time in the game at the opening of the fourth quarter. While the 76ers are still down multiple starters, Boston is in a terrible place after losing Tatum so early in the season.