Sixers Force Game 7 After 106-93 Win Over Celtics; Maxey Scores 30

Key facts

• 76ers defeated Celtics 106-93 in Game 6 on Thursday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
• Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 30 points on 11-for-22 shooting.
• Joel Embiid posted 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
• Paul George added 23 points for the 76ers.
• Celtics shot 41.9% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range.
• Jayson Tatum had 17 points and 11 rebounds; Jaylen Brown scored 18.
• Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at TD Garden in Boston.
• This is the first time since 2020 a team has forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in the first round.

Philadelphia Staves Off Elimination in Game 6

The Philadelphia 76ers kept their season alive with a commanding 106-93 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the first-round playoff series. After falling behind three games to one, the Sixers have now won two consecutive games, flipping the momentum of a series that once seemed all but over. Boston’s last lead came at the 6:37 mark of the second quarter. Philadelphia built a 12-point advantage by halftime and never looked back, outscoring the Celtics 62-40 over the middle two periods. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters with more than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Maxey and Embiid Lead Balanced Attack

All five Philadelphia starters scored at least 14 points, with Tyrese Maxey pacing the team with 30 points on 11-for-22 shooting. Maxey was 5-for-6 at the basket, 3-for-5 from three-point range, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Joel Embiid, playing less than three weeks after an emergency appendectomy, contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, falling just shy of a triple-double. Paul George added 23 points. Philadelphia’s starters accounted for 100 of the team’s 106 points. The Sixers have now won 15 of the 18 games in which Maxey has scored at least 30 points on a true shooting percentage of 60 or better.

Celtics Struggle Offensively; Tatum’s Leg Issue

Boston’s offense continued to sputter in Game 6, shooting just 41.9% from the field and 29.3% from beyond the arc. The Celtics had only four players in double figures, with none exceeding 20 points. Jayson Tatum finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 18. Tatum appeared to have an issue with his lower left leg during the game, describing it as “a little stiff” when he came out in the third quarter. He tore his right Achilles less than a year ago. Boston lost its 3-1 series lead and now faces questions about its health and offensive consistency heading into Game 7.

Philadelphia’s Defensive Adjustments Pay Off

The Sixers have effectively neutralized Boston’s high-powered offense over the past two games. They are defending Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in isolation, forcing them inside the three-point line and staying home on Boston’s shooters. Philadelphia has also excelled on the boards and played with increased physicality. In Game 6, the Celtics were outrebounded and committed more turnovers than the Sixers. Boston also failed to lead in any major statistical category: field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds, or turnovers.

Series Context and Historical Significance

No two franchises have played each other more times in NBA history than the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. This is their 23rd playoff series. The Sixers’ comeback from a 3-1 deficit marks the first time since 2020 that a team has forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in the first round, when the Denver Nuggets rallied past the Utah Jazz. Philadelphia lost Games 3 and 4 at home before winning Game 5 in Boston 113-97, behind Embiid’s 33 points and Maxey’s 25 points and 10 rebounds. The series now returns to Boston for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday.

Game 7 Outlook: Everything on the Line

The Celtics will host Game 7 at TD Garden, where they have posted a 30-11 record this season. But the Sixers have shown they can win in Boston, having done so in Game 5. Philadelphia’s confidence has grown after two straight wins; the team now believes it can steal the series. “This is now anyone’s series,” one Sixers beat writer noted. Boston needs to improve across the board, particularly on offense, to avoid an early playoff exit. The winner will face the New York Knicks in the second round.

The bottom line

• Philadelphia forced a Game 7 by winning 106-93 in Game 6, rallying from a 3-1 series deficit.
• Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points and has been a consistent problem for Boston’s defense.
• Joel Embiid recorded a near triple-double despite recent emergency appendectomy.
• Boston’s offense struggled, shooting under 30% from three-point range, and Jayson Tatum dealt with leg stiffness.
• The Sixers’ defensive adjustments have limited Boston’s stars and shooters over the last two games.
• Game 7 will be played Saturday at TD Garden; the winner advances to face the New York Knicks.