Joel Embiid and James Harden sparked a Philadelphia 76ers romp while the Boston Celtics cruised to victory behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in NBA playoff openers on Saturday.

NBA scoring champion Embiid scored 26 points while NBA assists champion Harden added 23 points and 13 assists in the Sixers' 121-101 rout of visiting Brooklyn.

The host Sixers, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, sank a club playoff record 21 3-pointers in 43 attempts to seize a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference best-of-seven opening series, which continues Monday in Philadelphia.

"(That) was a good win for us," Harden said. "We'll be watching film. Game two is going to be the toughest game of the series for us. We'll be ready to go."

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The Celtics ripped visiting Atlanta 112-99 behind 29 points and 12 rebounds from Brown and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Tatum.

Brown played with a wrapping on cut fingers and a protective mask he has had for two months due to a facial fracture.

"Got to come out and be ready to go," he said. "My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I don't make no excuses. I come out and play ball."

The first NBA playoff nail-biter came at Cleveland, where Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his team-high 27 points in the second half to lead New York over Cleveland 101-97.

The host Cavaliers, who had 38 points from Donovan Mitchell in a losing cause, went on a 9-0 run for a 93-92 lead before the Knicks reclaimed the lead.

Brunson's driving layup boosted the Knicks ahead 99-95 but Jarrett Allen's dunk tightened the game for Cleveland. A Brunson miss was rebounded by New York's Julius Randle, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and that set up two clinching Knicks free throws by Quentin Grimes.

"They don't quit. They just kept fighting," Brunson said of the Cavs. "We kept our composure. Made plays down the stretch, made a couple of huge stops. We just kept fighting, kept sticking together and stayed poised."

The Western Conference opener later sends defending champion Golden State to Sacramento, where the host Kings make their first playoff appearance since 2006.

Philadelphia's Embiid, the NBA season scoring leader with 33.1 points a game, went 7-of-15 from the floor but the Cameroonian star was 11-of-11 from the free throw line.

Harden, who hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range, became the first player in 76ers history with 20 points, 10 assists and five 3-pointers in one contest.

He also helped eight Sixers in all to make 3-pointers.

"Just finding ways to impact the game possession by possession," said Harden, a former Nets backcourt star.

"It's the playoffs. Things don't go the way you want as much as you want them to. You've got to keep pushing, keeping fighting, and I'm happy we got a win."

In the times the Nets stifled Embiid, Harden picked them apart with inside moves, skilled shotmaking and precision passing.

"I've been doing it for a very, very long time at the highest level so it's pretty easy," Harden said. "As long as I get into the paint and create good shots, I'm doing my job. Most of the time my teammates are making the shots."

Philadelphia made a club one-half playoff record of 13 3-pointers on the way to a 67-58 halftime edge.

Brooklyn's Mikal Bridges scored a game-high 30 points, but only seven in the second half.

<h2>Come out locked in</h2>

At Boston,&nbsp;Derrick White contributed 24 points for Boston, which used a 20-3 second-quarter run to seize a 74-44 half-time lead.

The Hawks, led by Dejounte Murray's 24 points, rallied in the second half but could not mount a sustained threat.

"Starts on defense," Brown said. "Coming out and being locked in defensively. That's a good young team. We've got to give them respect and come out and play them tight and stay aggressive."

Brown wants to avoid second-half fades after building big leads.

"That's the journey for us, to stay and keep that mentality locked in throughout the playoffs, 48 minutes throughout the game," he said.

"Tonight we waned a little bit but we will pick it up as the playoffs go on."

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Joel Embiid and James Harden sparked a Philadelphia 76ers romp while the Boston Celtics cruised to victory behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in NBA playoff openers on Saturday.

Joel Embiid and James Harden sparked a Philadelphia 76ers romp while the Boston Celtics cruised to victory behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in NBA playoff openers on Saturday. NBA scoring champion Embiid scored 26 points while NBA assists champion Harden added 23 points and 13 assists in the Sixers' 121-101 rout of visiting Brooklyn. The host Sixers, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, sank a club playoff record 21 3-pointers in 43 attempts to seize a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference best-of-seven opening series, which continues Monday in Philadelphia. "(That) was a good win for us," Harden said. "We'll be watching film. Game two is going to be the toughest game of the series for us. We'll be ready to go." Also Read: Heat, Timberwolves enter Playoffs as number 8 seed to complete bracket The Celtics ripped visiting Atlanta 112-99 behind 29 points and 12 rebounds from Brown and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Tatum. Brown played with a wrapping on cut fingers and a protective mask he has had for two months due to a facial fracture. "Got to come out and be ready to go," he said. "My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I don't make no excuses. I come out and play ball." The first NBA playoff nail-biter came at Cleveland, where Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his team-high 27 points in the second half to lead New York over Cleveland 101-97. The host Cavaliers, who had 38 points from Donovan Mitchell in a losing cause, went on a 9-0 run for a 93-92 lead before the Knicks reclaimed the lead. Brunson's driving layup boosted the Knicks ahead 99-95 but Jarrett Allen's dunk tightened the game for Cleveland. A Brunson miss was rebounded by New York's Julius Randle, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and that set up two clinching Knicks free throws by Quentin Grimes. "They don't quit. They just kept fighting," Brunson said of the Cavs. "We kept our composure. Made plays down the stretch, made a couple of huge stops. We just kept fighting, kept sticking together and stayed poised." The Western Conference opener later sends defending champion Golden State to Sacramento, where the host Kings make their first playoff appearance since 2006. Philadelphia's Embiid, the NBA season scoring leader with 33.1 points a game, went 7-of-15 from the floor but the Cameroonian star was 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Harden, who hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range, became the first player in 76ers history with 20 points, 10 assists and five 3-pointers in one contest. He also helped eight Sixers in all to make 3-pointers. "Just finding ways to impact the game possession by possession," said Harden, a former Nets backcourt star. "It's the playoffs. Things don't go the way you want as much as you want them to. You've got to keep pushing, keeping fighting, and I'm happy we got a win." In the times the Nets stifled Embiid, Harden picked them apart with inside moves, skilled shotmaking and precision passing. "I've been doing it for a very, very long time at the highest level so it's pretty easy," Harden said. "As long as I get into the paint and create good shots, I'm doing my job. Most of the time my teammates are making the shots." Philadelphia made a club one-half playoff record of 13 3-pointers on the way to a 67-58 halftime edge. Brooklyn's Mikal Bridges scored a game-high 30 points, but only seven in the second half. Come out locked in At Boston, Derrick White contributed 24 points for Boston, which used a 20-3 second-quarter run to seize a 74-44 half-time lead. The Hawks, led by Dejounte Murray's 24 points, rallied in the second half but could not mount a sustained threat. "Starts on defense," Brown said. "Coming out and being locked in defensively. That's a good young team. We've got to give them respect and come out and play them tight and stay aggressive." Brown wants to avoid second-half fades after building big leads. "That's the journey for us, to stay and keep that mentality locked in throughout the playoffs, 48 minutes throughout the game," he said. "Tonight we waned a little bit but we will pick it up as the playoffs go on." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NBA Playoffs: Sixers, Celtics, Knicks advance with Game 1 win

The&nbsp;Phoenix Suns have been dealt a heavy blow after their owner&nbsp;and that of sister team Phoenix Mercury,&nbsp; Robert Sarver, was slapped with a one-year-long suspension. In addition, he found himself at the receiving end of a whopping $10 million fine.

The NBA conducted an investigation, which prompted the authorities to level these penalties on the Suns' frontman. The probe revealed that Sarver had indulged in what the league defined as&nbsp;“workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies”.

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This comes nearly a year after the league initially contacted a law firm to get to the bottom of several allegations levelled against Sarver that claimed that he had a history of&nbsp;misogynistic,&nbsp;racist and hostile incidents.

Sarver, who has been at the helm of the franchise for over two decades, found himself disagreeing with certain findings of the investigation. However, he accepted the consequences of his actions and vowed to abide by the league's decision regardless. He further issued an apology to all those employees, who may have felt offended by his statements.

The report stated that Sarver 'repeated or purported to repeat the N-word on at least five occasions spanning his tenure with the Suns.' However, it is interesting to note that the investigation could not prove whether his usage of the slur was meant to demean or degrade any individuals.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-campaign-will-be-the-same-as-it-was-at-asia-cup-danish-kaneria-warns-rohit-sharma-co-515972" hreflang="en">India's campaign will be the same as it was at Asia Cup: Danish Kaneria warns Rohit Sharma &amp; Co.</a>

Sarver also issued a statement after finding himself at the receiving end of the heftiest fine that is allowed by the NBA. "I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.

"This moment is an opportunity for me to demonstrate a capacity to learn and grow as we continue to build a working culture where every employee feels comfortable and valued,” said Sarver.

The Phoenix Suns have been dealt a heavy blow after their owner and that of sister team Phoenix Mercury, Robert Sarver, was slapped with a one-year-long suspension.

The Phoenix Suns have been dealt a heavy blow after their owner and that of sister team Phoenix Mercury, Robert Sarver, was slapped with a one-year-long suspension. In addition, he found himself at the receiving end of a whopping $10 million fine. The NBA conducted an investigation, which prompted the authorities to level these penalties on the Suns' frontman. The probe revealed that Sarver had indulged in what the league defined as “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies”. ALSO READ: Champions League matchday 2 marred by Nazi salutes and protests against delaying fixtures over Queen's death This comes nearly a year after the league initially contacted a law firm to get to the bottom of several allegations levelled against Sarver that claimed that he had a history of misogynistic, racist and hostile incidents. Sarver, who has been at the helm of the franchise for over two decades, found himself disagreeing with certain findings of the investigation. However, he accepted the consequences of his actions and vowed to abide by the league's decision regardless. He further issued an apology to all those employees, who may have felt offended by his statements. The report stated that Sarver 'repeated or purported to repeat the N-word on at least five occasions spanning his tenure with the Suns.' However, it is interesting to note that the investigation could not prove whether his usage of the slur was meant to demean or degrade any individuals. ALSO READ: India's campaign will be the same as it was at Asia Cup: Danish Kaneria warns Rohit Sharma & Co. Sarver also issued a statement after finding himself at the receiving end of the heftiest fine that is allowed by the NBA. "I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values. "This moment is an opportunity for me to demonstrate a capacity to learn and grow as we continue to build a working culture where every employee feels comfortable and valued,” said Sarver.

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver slapped with a one-year ban and a $10m for misconduct

Ranveer Singh dream has finally come true! Bollywood actor recently took part in the star-studded NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2022 that featured some big names including musicians and basketball players.

Ranveer Singh dream has finally come true! Bollywood actor recently took part in the star-studded NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2022 that featured some big names including musicians and basketball players. EXCLUSIVE Interview: Neha Dhupia on her cop role in 'A Thursday': For me Catherine Alvarez is perfect The 'Padmavat' actor who is a big fan of basketball was joined by several other celebrities like Machine Gun Kelly, Matt James, Jimmie Allen and more. Ranveer has shared several snaps from the event. Taking to Instagram, Ranveer took to his Instagram handle and posted a story that reads, "I just had the most incredible experience at the all-star game. But the highlight by far was the love and energy that my fans gave me at the game." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) × He continued, "I'm deeply touched and overwhelmed... Literally brought me to tears by the end of it. I feel the grace of god through you all. Not sure what i've done to deserve this kind of love but i am filled with just pure gratitude. Thank you all from my deepest embers of my heart." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) × The US's National Basketball Association had appointed Ranveer as the NBA Brand Ambassador for India in September last year. Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar are married! Check pics inside Earlier, he shared some pictures of himself from the practice session,“Ball is life 🏀🙌🏾 @nba @cavs @nbaindia @nbastyle_in #NBAAllStar #Nba75 #RanveerXNBAAllStar,” he captioned the pictures. Later, she also shared a photo with player Elhadji Tacko Fall. Along with the photo, he wrote, “Got some pre-match pro-tips from none other than my man mister Tacko Fall himself.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) × Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer will also be seen in 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar', Shankar's remake of his blockbuster 'Anniyan' and Rohit Shetty's 'Cirkus'.

In pics: Ranveer Singh plays with all his energy at NBA all-star celebrity game

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NBA Playoffs: Sixers, Celtics, Knicks advance with Game 1 win

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver slapped with a one-year ban and a $10m for misconduct

In pics: Ranveer Singh plays with all his energy at NBA all-star celebrity game