The Celtics bounced back in the preseason, securing a 112-101 victory over the 76ers at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday. Payton Pritchard continued to shine as the leader for the Celtics, although the main rotation players only appeared in the first half of the game.

With this win, the Celtics concluded a challenging three-games-in-four-nights stretch. In their earlier game against the Knicks, the top six players were rested, and for this game, only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were absent by design. The Celtics opted to rest their stars, much like the 76ers, who were missing Joel Embiid and James Harden. The Celtics now hold a 2-1 preseason record.

Despite a tied score of 72-72 midway through the third quarter, the Celtics launched a 22-6 run, maintaining their lead for the remainder of the game. This is where Payton Pritchard and the bench players continued to impress the coaching staff. The role players and those at the end of the bench are still competing for minutes and roster spots during the preseason.

The Celtics have a nearly week-long break before their next game, when they host the Knicks at TD Garden on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Here are four key takeaways from Boston’s victory over Philadelphia:

1. Preseason Dominance: Payton Pritchard has been a standout in the preseason, and it’s not just because of his recent four-year contract extension. Pritchard displayed excellent play during Wednesday’s game, contributing 17 points and three assists in his 24 minutes on the court. These performances are encouraging for the Celtics as Pritchard seems ready for an increased role this season.

2. Evaluating the Top Four: Even with Tatum and Brown on the sidelines, the Celtics still had four of their top six players on the court, including Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, all starting. Each of them played 17 minutes and 4 seconds, limited to the first half. They delivered typical performances: Holiday scored 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting; White had 11 points, four assists, and three blocks; Porzingis contributed 11 points and five rebounds; and Horford added nine points and four rebounds.

3. Shooting Resurgence: Sam Hauser had a challenging start to the preseason, going 2-for-15 on 3-pointers in the first two games. However, Hauser made a significant comeback in this game, shooting 4-for-9 from beyond the arc, totaling 15 points. Hauser’s sharpshooting is a valuable asset for the Celtics. He also contributed four rebounds and three assists.

4. Seeking Expanded Roles: While the top of the Celtics’ roster is established, there are still opportunities for regular-season minutes, especially during nights when the starters rest or are injured. Some players are eager to prove themselves for larger roles.

Svi Mykhailiuk and Neemias Queta put up strong performances after impressing against the Knicks on Monday. Mykhailiuk scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds on 5-for-6 shooting, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Queta chipped in with 10 points and three rebounds, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 in just eight minutes.