The Philadelphia 76ers made a key lineup change on Sunday as veteran center Andre Drummond was named in the starting five against the Boston Celtics due to Joel Embiid’s absence. While the opportunity gave Drummond increased minutes and a bigger role, the night’s biggest moment came from Celtics star Jaylen Brown, whose powerful poster dunk quickly became a viral highlight.
Drummond Gets Starting Role Without Embiid
Andre Drummond moved into the starting lineup after Joel Embiid was ruled out with an oblique injury. The veteran center had seen limited action recently, including a game where he did not play and another where he logged only seven minutes.
With the increased responsibility, Drummond was expected to play a larger role. In his previous three starts, he averaged:
| Stat | Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 7.0 |
| Rebounds | 11.7 |
| Assists | 2.0 |
| Blocks | 1.0 |
| Minutes | 23.7 |
The move highlighted Philadelphia’s trust in his rebounding and interior presence whenever Embiid is unavailable.
Jaylen Brown’s Dunk Becomes the Highlight
Despite Drummond’s strong start, the defining moment of the game came midway through the second quarter. Jaylen Brown drove aggressively from the top of the key and finished with a powerful one-handed dunk over the 6-foot-10 center.
Jaylen getting violent at the rim pic.twitter.com/rrjs6qu05t
— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) March 2, 2026
The play immediately caught the attention of fans and commentators and quickly spread across social media. Many Celtics supporters labeled it the “dunk of the night,” as Brown’s athletic finish energized the Boston crowd and shifted the game’s momentum.
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Strong Early Impact from Drummond
Before the viral moment, Drummond made a solid contribution in his opening stint. In just over seven minutes, he provided energy on the boards, grabbed multiple offensive rebounds, and converted an and-one putback. During that stretch, Philadelphia held a positive on-court rating and briefly took the lead.
His performance reinforced his value as a reliable interior presence when given extended playing time.
Drummond’s Role in the 2025–26 Season
Throughout the season, Drummond has primarily served as Embiid’s backup. When he receives 20 or more minutes, his production has remained consistent, averaging close to double-digit rebounds along with efficient scoring around the rim.
Overall season numbers reflect his steady role as a rotation big who brings physicality, screen setting, and rebounding stability for the 76ers.
While Jaylen Brown’s highlight dunk dominated headlines, Drummond’s performance showed that he remains an important part of Philadelphia’s depth. With Embiid’s availability always a key factor, the 76ers will continue to rely on Drummond’s experience and energy whenever he steps into the starting role.
For Boston, the moment added another signature play to Brown’s season. For Philadelphia, it was a reminder that even in the spotlight of a viral highlight, Drummond’s work inside still plays a meaningful role in the team’s rotation.
