Celtics collapse as Embiid's 33 points force Game 6 in Philadelphia

Key facts

• Boston Celtics lost 113-97 to Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 at TD Garden.
• Joel Embiid scored 33 points after returning from an appendectomy.
• Celtics shot 11 of 39 from three-point range (28.2%).
• Boston led 63-50 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
• 76ers outscored Celtics 63-34 from that point onward.
• Series now tied 3-2 heading to Philadelphia for Game 6.
• Jayson Tatum had 24 points; Jaylen Brown added 22 points.
• Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 30 points in Philadelphia's Game 2 win.

Lede: A 13-point lead evaporates

The Boston Celtics carried a 13-point lead into the third quarter of Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night at TD Garden, but a catastrophic collapse saw them outscored 63-34 over the remainder of the game, resulting in a 113-97 loss that forces a Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday. The defeat drops the Celtics to 3-2 in the series, squandering a chance to close out the first round at home. The 76ers, buoyed by the return of Joel Embiid after an appendectomy, now have momentum and a raucous home crowd awaiting them.

Embiid's return transforms Philadelphia

Joel Embiid, who missed two weeks after undergoing an appendectomy, delivered a vintage performance with 33 points, looking far more comfortable than in Game 4. His presence altered Boston's defensive schemes, drawing fouls and creating open looks for teammates. "Give him credit, he played well," said Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who scored 24 points. "He put a lot of pressure on us, especially on the defensive end. We'll go back and watch the film and make some adjustments and be ready for Game 6." Embiid's health crisis had cast doubt on Philadelphia's playoff viability, but his resurgence has rekindled the 76ers' hopes of advancing.

Boston's three-point reliance backfires

The Celtics connected on just 11 of 39 three-point attempts (28.2%), a recurring theme in their playoff losses. Coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed the issue, noting, "We missed layups too. I don't think it was necessarily from the 3's. … we just have to be able to bounce back from that." Yet the numbers tell a stark story: Boston's offense grew stagnant as the misses mounted, leading to transition opportunities for Philadelphia. The 76ers capitalized, turning empty possessions into fast-break points that stretched their lead.

Defensive lapses against star players

Jaylen Brown, who scored 22 points, voiced frustration with Boston's defensive effort, particularly against Embiid. "Yeah, I feel like he got too many easy baskets," Brown said. "We need to make him work. It's just too easy for him, even though we want to trust our guys to guard certain aspects, we have to make it a little tougher." Brown's comments echoed his assessment after Game 2, when rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 30 points. "I thought Edgecombe was just too comfortable," Brown said then. The pattern of allowing opposing stars to dictate the game has become a troubling theme for Boston.

A topsy-turvy postseason landscape

The Celtics' stumble is part of a broader trend in the 2026 NBA playoffs, where lower-seeded teams are thriving. The eighth-seeded Orlando Magic hold a 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, while the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves lead the No. 3 Denver Nuggets 3-2. The No. 3 New York Knicks evened their series against the No. 6 Atlanta Hawks with a 126-97 win in Game 5. In this context, the 76ers are simply "skating their wing," as one observer put it, in a tournament hungry for upsets. Boston's inability to close out at home leaves them vulnerable to joining the list of favorites facing elimination.

What's at stake in Game 6

Game 6 on Thursday in Philadelphia will determine whether the Celtics can regroup or face a decisive Game 7 back in Boston. The 76ers, with Embiid back in form and the home crowd behind them, have seized control of the series' momentum. Boston must address its defensive breakdowns and three-point shooting woes to avoid an early exit. As the Celtics watch film, the question remains whether they can adjust quickly enough to stop a 76ers team that has found its rhythm at the perfect time.

The bottom line

• Joel Embiid's 33 points in Game 5 marked his return to form after an appendectomy, giving the 76ers a crucial win.
• Boston's 11-of-39 three-point shooting and defensive lapses allowed a 63-34 run that erased a 13-point lead.
• The Celtics have allowed opposing stars (Embiid, Edgecombe) to score with ease in multiple games this series.
• The 2026 playoffs feature multiple upsets, with lower seeds like Orlando and Minnesota leading their series.
• Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday will be pivotal; a 76ers win forces a Game 7, while a Celtics win closes the series.