The Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the Eastern Semifinals for the first time since 2023 after trailing 3-1 to the Boston Celtics; the win marks the first time in 42 years that the Sixers have beaten the Celtics in a playoff series
Last updated: 03/05/26 9:14
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Highlights from the NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics
Highlights from the NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics
Joel Embiid inspired the Philadelphia 76ers to a sensational comeback win over a Jayson Tatum-less Boston Celtics to reach the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.
Embiid finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while VJ Edgecombe dropped 23 points and Paul George 13.
Philadelphia visits the New York Knicks on Monday night in Game One of the second round.
“So obviously it’s hard to come back 3-1. I get it because we just did it. And then obviously we missed three of those games. Really because the first game was kind of just me coming back to myself. It’s tough, but it feels good to win,” Embiid said.
“Obviously we have a bigger goal in mind, but to finally beat these guys, I feel pretty good.”
The Sixers franchise, including time as the Syracuse Nationals, improved to 2-10 in road Game 7s. Its only other win came in 1982 at Boston Garden.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points and nine rebounds. Derrick White had 26 points, including five three-pointers. Neemias Queta finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Celtics struggled from the three-point line for the third straight game, finishing 13 of 49.
The second-seeded Celtics made their earliest exit from the playoffs since the 2020-21 season. Boston fell to 32-1 as it took a 3-1 series lead.
The Celtics played without Tatum after he was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff with left knee stiffness.
Philadelphia led for all but 31 seconds of the game, extending a five-point deficit to 18 points in the third quarter.
“I’ve always said it, you can’t win by yourself,” Embiid added. “You need a team to be able to win and everybody is doing their job. I think the way we’re playing right now is in sync offensively, defensively.
“I think guys understand what they’re supposed to do and it’s beautiful to see. And what I’ve always wanted to do is play winning basketball, share the ball, defensively, everybody gets locked into what they’re supposed to do and that’s how you win.”