The Philadelphia 76ers vanquished decades of playoff demons on Saturday night, completing a stunning 3-1 series comeback to defeat the second-seeded Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 at TD Garden. Led by a historic performance from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers advanced to the second round for the first time since defeating the Celtics in a playoff series in 1982.
Embiid delivered a vintage performance with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The duo became just the third pair in NBA history to each record 30 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in a Game 7, joining Lakers legends Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, and Cavaliers stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
How the 76ers Pulled Off the Unthinkable
After falling behind 3-1 in the series, the 76ers faced elimination in Game 5 in Philadelphia. Embiid, playing just 17 days after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery, led the charge as the Sixers staved off elimination twice before returning to Boston for the decisive game. The seventh-seeded 76ers (45-37) won three straight games against a Celtics team that posted a 56-26 regular-season record and held the best home record in the Eastern Conference at 30-11.
In Game 7, Philadelphia jumped out to a commanding 32-19 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Rookie VJ Edgecombe contributed 23 crucial points, while the Celtics' Jaylen Brown scored 33 points in a losing effort. The Celtics cut the lead to single digits late, but Maxey delivered back-to-back clutch buckets to seal the victory.
Timeline: From Appendectomy to Glory
The 76ers' path to this historic moment was paved with adversity. Days before the regular season concluded, Embiid woke up with acute appendicitis and underwent emergency surgery. He missed the final regular-season games, the Play-In tournament, and the first three games of the Celtics series. When he finally returned in Game 4 — just 17 days post-surgery — the 76ers were down 3-0 in the series after losing Game 4 initially with him back. But Embiid's presence sparked a turnaround.
Game 4 (April 26): Embiid returned to a roaring ovation but the Celtics won, taking a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 (April 28): Embiid scored 28 points as the 76ers staved off elimination with a home win.
Game 6 (April 30): Maxey erupted for 32 points as Philadelphia forced Game 7 with another road win.
Game 7 (May 2): Embiid and Maxey combined for 64 points, 23 rebounds, and 13 assists to complete the comeback.
This was only Philadelphia's fourth postseason series victory over Boston in franchise history and the first since the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, when Julius Erving and the Sixers went on to win the NBA championship.
Why This Win Changes Everything for Philadelphia
The significance of this victory extends far beyond one series. Embiid has long battled the narrative that he couldn't deliver in the postseason or overcome the Celtics, who had eliminated the 76ers in six previous playoff meetings. After the game, Embiid deflected questions about his health with humor, telling reporters, "I feel great. I feel amazing. I was faking it."
Earlier in the week, he offered a more candid assessment: "I tell my brain I feel amazing, so I feel amazing. Hopefully, my brain understands it. Sometimes it's hard. Your body tells you something different, but I feel amazing."
Head coach Nick Nurse praised Embiid's resilience after the game. "The amount of games is still pretty low, right? These are super intense, pretty quick comebacks, every other day. He didn't get lucky enough to get those three-day breaks at the start, but he was doing everything he could to stay in the game," Nurse said. "We obviously ran a lot of stuff through him. He's at least given us a focal point to play through, which is excellent."
Embiid entered Game 7 averaging 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in his three prior playoff games this season. He exceeded all those averages in the series clincher while also dealing with a knee scare during the contest after Maxey accidentally rolled into his leg.
Where Things Stand Now: The Knicks Await
The 76ers now advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the New York Knicks. Embiid is listed as probable for Game 1, and barring any setbacks, he is expected to be available when the series tips off next week. The Sixers have not advanced past the second round since 2001, when Allen Iverson led them to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics, meanwhile, face a bitter offseason of what-ifs after becoming just the 14th team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead. For Philadelphia, the monkey is finally off their back — and it took a superhero effort from a center who wasn't supposed to be on the court.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for the Sixers
Philadelphia will need to navigate a challenging second-round series against a well-rested Knicks team. Paul George, who struggled with injuries during the regular season, will be crucial as the Sixers look to continue their unlikely run. Embiid's health will remain the central storyline — but if Game 7 proved anything, it's that counting out this 76ers team, and this MVP center, would be a mistake.
Key Takeaways from the Series
- The 76ers became the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit
- Embiid and Maxey joined elite company as just the 3rd duo with 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a Game 7
- Philadelphia beat Boston in a playoff series for the first time since 1982, snapping six straight series losses to the Celtics
- Embiid's return just 17 days after an appendectomy ranks among the most gutsy playoff comebacks in recent memory
- The 76ers will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals
