Sixers stun Celtics to reach Eastern semis
Hope
The Philadelphia 76ers overturned a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Boston Celtics and advance to the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals, recording their first playoff series win over Boston in more than four decades.
Joel Embiid delivered a top drawer performance, scoring 34 points, with 12 rebounds and six assists, as Philadelphia sealed a remarkable comeback victory. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while V.J. Edgecombe contributed 23 points. Paul George chipped in with 13 points.
The win sends Philadelphia into a second-round clash against the New York Knicks, with Game One scheduled for Monday night.
Boston were without star forward Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out approximately 90 minutes before tipoff due to left knee stiffness. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick White added 26 points, including five three-pointers. Neemias Queta recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Celtics struggled from long range for a third consecutive game, shooting 13-of-49 from beyond the arc. Despite entering the series as the second seed, Boston exited earlier than expected, marking their earliest playoff elimination since the 2020–21 season.
Philadelphia controlled most of the game, leading for all but 31 seconds and stretching a narrow five-point halftime advantage into an 18-point lead in the third quarter.
Historically, the Sixers had struggled in Game 7s on the road, improving to just 2-10, with their only previous win coming in 1982.
