Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-100 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their playoff series, scoring 34 points and collecting 12 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey contributed significantly with 30 points, including 10 crucial points in the fourth quarter, helping the seventh-seeded 76ers overcome a 3-1 series deficit. This marked the first time an NBA team came back from a 3-1 series down to win since the 2015 playoffs. The Celtics, missing star Jayson Tatum due to a knee injury, struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, finishing just 13 for 49 on three-point attempts. Despite a late push from Boston, the 76ers secured their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.
Why It Matters
This victory is historically significant as it highlights the 76ers’ resilience, becoming only the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. The matchup between the 76ers and Celtics has a storied history, with this being their 23rd playoff confrontation. Prior to this game, Boston had eliminated Philadelphia in the playoffs three times since 2018. Tatum’s absence due to injury further emphasizes the impact of player health on playoff outcomes, as he had been a key contributor since returning to the lineup after a long injury absence.
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