The biggest news this side of the world today is that the NBA is back after a long absence, with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Beantown. But while fans were expecting high-quality basketball they’ve never laid eyes on for quite some time, they were instead treated to a sloppy and almost comical brand of play the Celtics and the Sixers teamed up to produce — at least in the first half of the game.

Of course, folks on social media, particularly those on Twitter, had the time of their lives roasting subpar action they were witnessing during the first two quarters of a game that’s supposed to be a way-too-early preview of a possible Eastern Conference championship series.

https://twitter.com/AnthonyIrwinLA/status/1052350231570870272

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
Celtics rumors: Boston’s stance on trading Jrue Holiday after failed NBA title defenseDavid Yapkowitz ·
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) looks to pass in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum issues 7-word message on Achilles injury rehabDaniel Donabedian ·
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Shaquille O’Neal throws shade at Celtics’ Jayson Tatum’s HOF credentialsZachary Howell ·
Jaylen Brown photoshopped in Spurs jersey
Spurs’ trade proposal for Jaylen Brown if Celtics blow it upBailey Bassett ·
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (middle left) and forward Tari Eason (middle right) hold towels on their faces during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets ‘anticipating’ Celtics trade talksDavid Yapkowitz ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Will Boston target rising center prospect in NBA Draft?Owen Crisafulli ·

And it isn’t just the game itself that viewers are having a hard time dealing with, as even the broadcast team received some Twitter wrath.

The first half ended with the Sixers behind Boston, 47-42, thanks to their inability to take good care of the leather, though, that’s exactly not an easy thing to do for any team battling a Celtics squad that’s loaded with pesky defenders. Overall, the Sixers committed 11 turnovers over that span. Philly had a 16.5 turnovers per game average last season, and it seems they haven’t improved a lot on that area.

Much of the heat the Celtics caught from fans in the first half was due to guard Kyrie Irving’s salty shooting. Irving went just 0-for-8 from the floor, though, it could be attributed to the rusts he’s accumulated during a long layoff following a knee procedure he underwent late last season.