Embiid leads 76ers past Celtics in Game 7, then jokes about his health

Key facts

• Joel Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy just before the playoffs.
• Embiid missed the Play-In game and the first three games of the Celtics series.
• He returned in Game 4, scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds.
• In Game 7, Embiid had 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
• The 76ers shot 39% from three-point range; Boston shot 27% (13-of-49).
• Celtics star Jaylen Brown accused Embiid of flopping to draw fouls.
• Embiid attempted 11 free throws in Game 7, making 9.
• The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history.

A comeback for the ages

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have finally vanquished their longtime tormentors, the Boston Celtics, in a seven-game first-round playoff series that will be remembered for its dramatic reversal. After falling behind 3-1, the Sixers rallied to win three straight, culminating in a 109-100 victory in Boston on Saturday night. It was Embiid's first career Game 7 win, and it came against the team that had eliminated him in three previous playoff series. Embiid, the former MVP, was spectacular in the decisive game, posting a game-high 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. He made nine of his 11 free-throw attempts, a performance that drew both praise and criticism from the opposing side.

Embiid's health odyssey

The series was overshadowed by Embiid's health status. Just before the postseason, he underwent an emergency appendectomy, and his return timetable was uncertain. He sat out the Play-In game against the Orlando Magic and the first three games against the Celtics, leaving Philadelphia's prospects in doubt. When he finally returned in Game 4, he immediately made an impact with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Over the next three games, Embiid grew stronger, recording two 30-point performances, including the 34-point outburst in Game 7. However, his physical struggles were visible: during the final game, he emerged from the tunnel with what appeared to be a brace on his lower section, and late in the fourth quarter, he limped up the court after taking teammate Tyrese Maxey's weight against his knee following a pushoff from Jaylen Brown.

A humorous health update

Despite the visible discomfort, Embiid provided a light-hearted update after the win. "I feel great, I feel amazing," he told the press. "I was faking it." The comment drew laughs, but it also underscored the physical toll the series took on him. The 76ers have not yet released their injury report for the opening game of the next round against the New York Knicks, scheduled for Monday night at 8:00 p.m. EST. Embiid's ability to play through pain has been a defining trait, but his health will remain a central storyline as Philadelphia advances.

Brown's flopping accusation

Not everyone was impressed with Embiid's performance. Celtics star Jaylen Brown, after the game, accused Embiid of flopping to draw fouls. "Embiid put a lot of pressure on us, like on all our bigs and our guards," Brown said. "We didn't really have an answer for him. We tried a bunch of different things and he just, he's a big body, and also he was flopping around, he got some extra calls and stuff like that, and they rewarded him for that. That's the league that we're in." Brown fouled Embiid twice in the fourth quarter, both times in the post. With about eight-and-a-half minutes left, a push from Brown sent Embiid to the ground as he caught an entry pass. Four minutes later, Brown was again whistled for a foul while battling Embiid for position, though this time Brown ended up on the floor.

Free-throw disparity and context

Embiid's 11 free-throw attempts in Game 7 were in line with his regular-season averages. He averaged 8.8 attempts per game this season, and 10 per 36 minutes; he played 39 minutes in Game 7. At his peak in 2022, Embiid led the NBA with 11.8 attempts per game. The Celtics, as a team, got to the line less than any other team this season, so a free-throw disparity was expected. Brown himself had been frustrated with officiating throughout the series, having been called for 10 offensive fouls in the first six games, often for using his off-arm to create space. When asked about those calls after Game 6, he replied, "I got nothing for you." Despite the complaints, the 76ers' 3-point shooting was a key difference: Philadelphia shot 39% from beyond the arc, while Boston managed just 27%, going 13-of-49.

Celtics' injury woes and series implications

Boston's cause was not helped by the absence of Jayson Tatum, who suffered an injury in Game 6 and sat out Game 7. The Celtics also lost a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history, a collapse that will likely prompt introspection. Brown acknowledged Philadelphia's quality, saying, "Like we just didn't really have an answer for Embiid in the games that he played. He just was a problem for us." He also credited Tyrese Maxey, who scored 30 points, and VJ Edgecombe, who added 23, as well as head coach Nick Nurse. For the 76ers, the victory exorcises years of playoff frustration against Boston. But with the Knicks waiting, and Embiid's health still a concern, the road ahead remains uncertain.

What comes next

The 76ers will face the New York Knicks in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday night. Embiid's status will be closely monitored, though his humorous update suggests he is in good spirits. The series against Boston demonstrated that when healthy, Embiid is one of the most dominant players in the league. But his ability to sustain that level through a deep playoff run remains an open question. For the Celtics, the offseason begins earlier than expected, with questions about their roster and coaching staff. The blown 3-1 lead will sting, especially given the franchise's history. As Brown put it, "That's the league we're in."

The bottom line

• Joel Embiid returned from an emergency appendectomy to lead the 76ers to a Game 7 win over the Celtics, scoring 34 points and 12 rebounds.
• Philadelphia overcame a 3-1 series deficit, handing Boston its first blown 3-1 lead in franchise history.
• Jaylen Brown accused Embiid of flopping to draw fouls, but Embiid's free-throw rate was consistent with his regular-season averages.
• The 76ers' 3-point shooting (39%) outpaced Boston's (27%), a decisive factor in Game 7.
• Embiid joked about his health after the game, saying he was 'faking it,' but his physical condition remains a concern.
• Philadelphia advances to face the New York Knicks in the second round, with Game 1 on Monday.