76ers Stun Celtics in Game 7, Completing Historic 3-1 Comeback

Key facts

• 76ers beat Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 in Boston.
• Philadelphia becomes 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.
• Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
• Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, including 8 straight in the final minutes.
• Rookie V.J. Edgecombe added 23 points, shooting 5-11 from three-point range.
• Jayson Tatum was ruled out hours before tipoff due to injury.
• Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.
• Last time 76ers beat Celtics in playoffs was 1982 Eastern Conference Finals.

A Stunner in Boston

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a stunning 109-100 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series, becoming just the 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1. The win sends Philadelphia to the second round to face the New York Knicks. For the 76ers, the triumph ends a 42-year drought: the franchise had not eliminated Boston from the playoffs since the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, when Julius Erving and Moses Malone defeated Larry Bird and the Celtics. That series ended with Philadelphia losing to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

Embiid and Maxey Lead the Charge

Joel Embiid delivered a gutty performance, leading the 76ers with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Tyrese Maxey, who was quiet for parts of the game, finished with 30 points and sealed the win with eight consecutive points in the waning minutes. Rookie V.J. Edgecombe also came up huge offensively, scoring 23 points and going 5-for-11 from three-point range. The 76ers' balanced attack overwhelmed a Celtics team missing its star.

Celtics Without Tatum

The Celtics were dealt a major blow just hours before tipoff when star forward Jayson Tatum was ruled out due to injury. Without Tatum, Boston leaned heavily on Jaylen Brown, who scored 33 points with nine rebounds and four assists. Guard Derrick White stepped up offensively with 26 points after struggling for much of the series, but he shot just 5-for-16 from three-point range. The Celtics' offense could not keep pace with Philadelphia's relentless scoring down the stretch.

Historic Comeback

The 76ers' series comeback from a 3-1 deficit places them in elite company. Only 14 teams in NBA playoff history have accomplished the feat. For Philadelphia, the victory is particularly sweet given the long history of playoff heartbreak against Boston. The last time the 76ers beat the Celtics in a playoff series was 1982, when a team featuring Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Moses Malone defeated Larry Bird's Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. That series ended with Philadelphia losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

What's Next for Philadelphia

The 76ers now advance to face the New York Knicks in the second round. With momentum from their historic comeback and strong performances from Embiid, Maxey, and Edgecombe, Philadelphia will look to continue its playoff run. The Knicks present a formidable challenge, but the 76ers have proven they can win under pressure. The series is expected to begin later this week.

The bottom line

• Philadelphia 76ers beat Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7, completing a 3-1 series comeback.
• Joel Embiid (34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) and Tyrese Maxey (30 points) led the 76ers.
• Rookie V.J. Edgecombe contributed 23 points off the bench.
• Celtics played without star Jayson Tatum, ruled out hours before tipoff.
• Jaylen Brown scored 33 points for Boston; Derrick White added 26.
• This is the first time the 76ers have beaten the Celtics in a playoff series since 1982.