Embiid and Maxey Power Sixers to Historic Game 7 Win Over Celtics

Key facts

• Joel Embiid scored 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in 39 minutes.
• Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in 45 minutes.
• Rookie VJ Edgecombe contributed 23 points and six rebounds.
• Philadelphia shot 13-for-49 from three-point range, while Boston shot 13-for-49.
• The Sixers are the 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.
• Boston led 3-1 before losing three straight games.
• Jayson Tatum missed Game 7 with a knee injury.
• Philadelphia will face the New York Knicks in the second round starting Monday.

Sixers Overcome 3-1 Deficit to Stun Celtics in Game 7

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 on Saturday night at TD Garden, completing a historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. The victory propels Philadelphia into the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, where they will face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with a game-high 34 points on 12-for-26 shooting, adding 12 rebounds and six assists. Despite colliding with opponents twice and briefly retreating to the locker room with a wrap around his midsection, Embiid played 39 minutes and proved an insurmountable challenge for Boston's defense.

Embiid and Maxey Lead Philadelphia's Historic Rally

Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting, along with 11 rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes, icing the game with several clutch baskets. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe added 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting, including 5 of 11 from three-point range, plus six rebounds and four assists in 43 minutes. Paul George contributed 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting and played strong defense despite being listed as questionable due to illness. Philadelphia became the 14th team in NBA history to win a playoff series after trailing 3-1, and the first since the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 bubble. The Sixers had lost six straight playoff series to Boston, with their last series win over the Celtics occurring 44 years ago.

Celtics' Season Ends in Disappointment After 56-Win Campaign

Boston finished the regular season with a 56-26 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics boasted top-five offensive and defensive ratings and won 13 of their final 16 games after Jayson Tatum returned from an Achilles injury. However, Tatum missed Game 7 with a stiff knee, and the team's offense faltered, shooting 13-for-49 from three-point range. Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 33 points on 12-for-27 shooting, while Derrick White added 26 points on 9-for-27 shooting, including 5-for-16 from deep, with most of his damage coming in the first half. The Celtics missed eight straight shots after cutting the lead to 99-98 with 3:49 remaining.

Embiid's Return from Appendectomy Changed the Series

Joel Embiid returned earlier than expected from an appendectomy, despite complications he was willing to discuss. In his first game back, Game 4, Philadelphia's offense struggled as they integrated him. By Game 5, coach Nick Nurse implemented a plan to let Embiid work in isolation, exploiting Boston's inability to guard him one-on-one. When Boston doubled, Embiid found open teammates. Embiid averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in the series. The combination of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey played only 21 games together during the regular season due to injuries and George's 25-game suspension.

Boston's Collapse Continues a Pattern of Playoff Failures

The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history. Last season, they lost to the Knicks in six games after blowing 20-point leads in the first two games. Three years ago, they fell behind 3-0 to the Heat before losing in seven. Boston's offense struggled from three-point range in the final three games, shooting 13-for-49 in Game 7, 12-for-41 in Game 6, and 11-for-39 in Game 5. Joe Mazzulla experimented with lineup changes in Game 7, starting Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr., but the trio combined for zero points in 53 minutes. Nikola Vucevic remained on the bench.

What's Next: Sixers Face Knicks in Second Round

Philadelphia advances to face the New York Knicks in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers will look to carry momentum from their historic comeback, while the Celtics head into an offseason of questions about their playoff resilience and the health of Jayson Tatum. Embiid, who said after Game 6, "I've been playing these guys for so long, I'm tired of losing to them," now has a chance to lead Philadelphia deeper into the playoffs. The Sixers' rookie VJ Edgecombe has emerged as a key contributor, averaging 13.8 points per game in the series.

The bottom line

• Philadelphia became the 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.
• Joel Embiid's return from appendectomy and dominant play (34 points, 12 rebounds in Game 7) was pivotal.
• Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe provided crucial scoring support.
• Boston's offense collapsed, shooting 13-for-49 from three in Game 7 and missing eight straight shots late.
• Jayson Tatum missed Game 7 with a knee injury, continuing a pattern of playoff injuries.
• The Sixers snapped a 44-year playoff series drought against the Celtics.