Embiid, 33 Points and 8 Assists, Leads 76ers Past Celtics 113-97 to Stave Off Elimination

Key facts

• Joel Embiid scored 33 points and had 8 assists in Game 5.
• Philadelphia defeated Boston 113-97 at TD Garden, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.
• Embiid underwent an appendectomy less than three weeks before the game.
• Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the 76ers.
• Quentin Grimes scored 18 points in his best game of the series.
• Embiid started 1-for-7 from the field but dominated in the second half.
• VJ Edgecombe hit a dagger 3-pointer that sent Celtics fans to the exits.

A Superhuman Performance Under Physical Duress

Joel Embiid had an appendectomy less than three weeks ago. On Tuesday night, he delivered a 33-point, eight-assist performance that saved the Philadelphia 76ers' season. In a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, Embiid played through a third-quarter knee collision with Jaylen Brown that sent him limping to the locker room, only to return and dominate the second half. The win cut Boston's series lead to 3-2, with Game 6 set for Thursday in Philadelphia.

Embiid's Second-Half Transformation Turns the Tide

After a sluggish start in which he missed six of his first seven shots, Embiid abandoned perimeter jumpers and planted himself in the paint. He posted up repeatedly, scoring consistently and bending Boston's defense in ways the Celtics had not faced all series. By the fourth quarter, Boston was forced to send double-teams, creating open looks for his teammates. Tyrese Maxey hit two 3-pointers in the latter stages, and VJ Edgecombe's dagger from beyond the arc sent Celtics fans streaming toward the exits.

Embiid Cancels Boston's Star Duo

In Games 3 and 4, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had terrorized the 76ers. On Tuesday, Embiid neutralized both. His presence on both ends of the floor — scoring, passing, and anchoring the defense — rendered Boston's star duo ineffective. Paul George also contributed on both ends, while Quentin Grimes posted 18 points in his best outing of the series. The collective effort, however, was orchestrated by Embiid's gravity.

A History of Physical Setbacks, Yet Unwavering Desire

Embiid's body has been a recurring obstacle: a left knee injury against the Golden State Warriors in 2024, an oblique strain that sidelined him for nearly five weeks earlier this year, and an injury prevention program that limited his game count. He has played in only 38 regular-season games this season. Yet he has maintained a fierce desire to compete. 'I want to play basketball,' Embiid said. 'I know the narrative out there is that I’m lazy, or that I don’t want to play or whatever. But I definitely want to play.'

One of His Best Playoff Performances, Despite the Odds

Embiid has scored more points and grabbed more rebounds in other postseason games. But given the circumstances — an appendectomy, a knee injury mid-game, and the season on the line — Tuesday's outing may rank as his most impactful playoff performance. 'I was proud of him tonight,' Maxey said. 'To see him go out there under those circumstances and play like that — he was dominant, especially in the second half. He did a great job of inserting himself into the game. He carried us tonight.'

What Lies Ahead: Game 6 in Philadelphia

The 76ers now return home for Game 6 on Thursday, needing another win to force a decisive Game 7. Philadelphia has yet to win a home game in this series. If they are to succeed, Embiid must continue to operate near the basket, drawing double-teams and creating open shots for his teammates. The Celtics, meanwhile, will need to find a way to contain Embiid without surrendering the perimeter. The series hangs in the balance.

The bottom line

• Joel Embiid scored 33 points and 8 assists less than three weeks after an appendectomy, leading the 76ers to a 113-97 win that cut the Celtics' series lead to 3-2.
• Embiid's second-half shift to post-up play forced Boston to double-team, creating open 3-pointers for Maxey and Edgecombe.
• Embiid neutralized the Celtics' star duo of Tatum and Brown, who had dominated earlier games.
• The 76ers' supporting cast — Maxey (25 points, 10 rebounds), Grimes (18 points), and George — stepped up in the must-win game.
• Philadelphia has yet to win a home game in the series, making Game 6 a critical test of their ability to sustain momentum.
• Embiid's performance underscores his value despite a season limited to 38 games by injuries.