76ers Stave Off Elimination as Embiid Powers 113-97 Game 5 Win Over Celtics

Key facts

• Joel Embiid scored a game-high 33 points, with 18 after halftime, on 12-of-23 shooting and 9-of-10 free throws.
• Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals for Philadelphia.
• The 76ers outscored Boston 28-11 in the fourth quarter, holding the Celtics to 40% shooting.
• Boston led 63-50 in the third quarter but shot 11-of-39 (28%) from three-point range.
• Embiid briefly left for the locker room after a knee collision with Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter but returned.
• Paul George opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to give Philadelphia an 88-86 lead they never relinquished.
• The Celtics waved the white flag with 2:16 remaining, pulling Jayson Tatum as Philadelphia led 109-95.

Embiid’s Second-Half Surge Rescues Philadelphia’s Season

The Philadelphia 76ers are not finished yet. Behind a dominant second half from Joel Embiid, the 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 113-97 in Game 5 on Tuesday night, narrowing the series deficit to 3-2 and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Embiid, playing in just his second game of the postseason after an emergency appendectomy, scored 18 of his game-high 33 points after halftime. He shot 12 of 23 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, adding 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 block. The victory silenced a stunned TD Garden crowd that had anticipated a series-clinching celebration. Instead, the 76ers forced a Game 6 back in Boston.

Boston’s Collapse After a 13-Point Third-Quarter Lead

The Celtics appeared in control midway through the third quarter, holding a 63-50 lead and seemingly ready to close out the series on their home floor. But Philadelphia chipped away, cutting the deficit to 86-85 by the end of the third period. Paul George opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to give the 76ers an 88-86 lead, and they never trailed again. Boston’s offense, capable of explosive scoring, went dormant as the 76ers outscored them 28-11 in the final frame. The Celtics shot just 40% from the field and 28% from three-point range (11 of 39), a stark contrast to Philadelphia’s 50% field-goal percentage and 36% three-point shooting (15 of 42).

Embiid’s Resilience After a Knee Scare

Embiid’s performance was all the more remarkable given a late-game injury scare. He collided knees with Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter as Boston held a 74-70 lead and immediately left for the locker room. His exit was brief; he returned to the lineup before the end of the quarter. Embiid then helped fuel the fourth-quarter rally, attacking the paint and drawing double teams despite an 0-for-5 effort from three-point range. His ability to adapt, focusing on interior scoring and playmaking, proved decisive. Embiid finished with 8 assists, exploiting Boston’s defensive focus on him.

Maxey and George Provide Backcourt Support

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia’s backcourt with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, providing a steady presence alongside Embiid. Paul George flirted with a triple-double, tallying 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 4 of 9 from three. Quentin Grimes added 18 points off the bench on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, giving the 76ers crucial depth. The balanced scoring compensated for Embiid’s early rust and kept the offense flowing. Philadelphia’s 15 three-pointers on 42 attempts (36%) outpaced Boston’s cold shooting night.

Series Context and What’s at Stake in Game 6

Game 5 was only Embiid’s second playoff game this year. He missed Games 1-3 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy late in the regular season. In his Game 4 return, he shot 9 of 21 from the floor in a 128-96 loss. Tuesday’s win extends the series and gives Philadelphia a chance to force a Game 7 back at home. Boston still holds a 3-2 lead, but the momentum has shifted after the 76ers’ dominant fourth quarter. The Celtics will need to rediscover their three-point shooting and contain Embiid’s paint presence to close out the series in Game 6.

A Defining Test for Both Teams

For Philadelphia, the victory proved they can compete without a fully healthy Embiid and that their supporting cast can rise to the occasion. Maxey’s double-double and George’s all-around performance suggest depth that could trouble Boston. For Boston, the collapse raises questions about their ability to close out games under pressure. After shooting 40% from the field and going cold from three, the Celtics must adjust their offensive strategy. The series now heads to Boston for Game 6, where the Celtics will try to avoid a decisive Game 7. The 76ers, meanwhile, have new life and a blueprint for victory.

The bottom line

• Joel Embiid scored 33 points in his second game back from appendectomy, leading a 28-11 fourth-quarter surge.
• Tyrese Maxey recorded 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George added 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Boston blew a 13-point third-quarter lead and shot 28% from three, allowing Philadelphia to force Game 6.
• Embiid briefly left the game after a knee collision but returned to key the rally.
• The 76ers outshot the Celtics 50% to 40% from the field and 36% to 28% from three-point range.
• Philadelphia staved off elimination and now trails 3-2 in the series, with Game 6 in Boston.